Yakshagana should be promoted as a ’State art’

Yakshagana should be promoted as a ’State art’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 8, 2015 : Delivering the keynote address during inauguration of ‘Sarayu Sapthaha,’ a Yakshagana weekly, by Sarayu Bala Yakshavrinda Makkala Mela at Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple premises on Oct 6,  Moodbidri Alva’s  Education Foundation Chairman Dr Mohan Alva said Yakshagana is a complete art form, and the government should declare it as an ‘Art of the State’ and spread it to every corner of Karnataka. Just like Kerala government, which has marketed Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, the State too should promote Yakshagana,.

He went on to say that experiments should be done in Yakshagana. Give and take policy should be followed as many art forms in India and Sri Lanka are similar to Yakshagana. With the time, the learning ability of students has also increased, but guidance is yet to be refined. The art forms like Yakshagana give flexibility artistes and basics can always be in place without distortion.


Kota Shivarama Karantha had made attempts like using musical instruments such as violin, but more experiments should be done in this regard, Alva added.  To compete with modern art forms of the world, we have to think broad and look into the new possibilities in the art form. Moreover, our elders have put strong foundation to the art form, which must be passed on to the next generation. He hailed Ravi Alevooraya for his efforts to nurture Yakshagana, for over a decade.  Yakshagana artiste Sunnambala Vishweshwara Bhat was felicitated on the occasion.