7th All India Yakshagana Convention valedictory held

7th All India Yakshagana Convention valedictory held

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Jan 30, 2012: Delivering the valedictory address at the valedictory ceremony of the 7th All India Yakshagana Convention held at Town Hall on Jan 29 Sunday, Dr. Vasanth Bharadwaj Kabbinale, the honorary director of Sangeetha University Prasaranga, said that the convention has played an active role in revitalizing the art of Yakshagana.

 

 

 

Lamenting that Yakshagana artistes are not getting the recognition and appreciation they deserve, he urged those concerned to do something about it. He also expressed his concerns that certain bhagavathas are singing songs that have nothing to do with Yakshagana. Also expressing his worry over the diminishing quality of Yakshagana music, he urged the owners of Yakshagana troupes to participate in similar conventions where thoughts and ideas are exchanged.

He also objected to the mixing of Yakshagana with Bharatanatyam on grounds that Yakshagana is a unique art in itself. Stating that experiments are welcome, he warned against the unwelcome fruits of such experiments and said that the essence of Yakshagana should not be destroyed in the enthusiasm to experiment.

He also urged private organizations to sponsor awards and honors equal in value to government-sponsored awards and suggested that Yakshagana should be recognized as the art of Karnataka just as Kerala recognizes Kathakali as an art form unique to it. 

Reading out certain opinions raised at the convention, Kalkura Prathishtana President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that the need of the hour is to preserve the art of Yakshagana in its pristine form. Expressing his anger over the lack of monetary benefits to Yakshagana artistes, he said that singer Hariharan was paid Rs. 5 lakh while Yakshagana artistes were given only a few thousands at the recently held National Youth Festival.

Senior Yakshagana artiste Soorikumelu Govinda Bhat, the president of the convention, honored Yakshagana artistes Pookala Laxminarayana Bhat, Dr. Om Prakash K. V., Yashodha Shashidhar, Bheemaiah Thipatur, and others.

Prof. M. L. Samaga, the president of the Karnataka State Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, presided over the valedictory ceremony. In his address, he urged all Yakshagana artistes to fight for their rights. 

Among the dignitaries present were J. Sadashiva Bhat, the chancellor (evaluation) of Karnataka University in Dharward; S. N. Panjaje, the president of the Karnataka Samskrithika Kala Prathishtana Bangalore; Jayaram Hande, the general manager of Karnataka Bank; and many others.