Yakshagana artiste assaulted by miscreants at Panambur: Three arrested

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 12, 2013: A group of miscreants assaulted a Yakshagana  artiste  named Ujire Ashok Bhat who had come to Panambur to participate in a Yakshagana Talamaddale programme on August 11, Sunday evening. Bhat is an Arthadhari. Following a  complaint lodged by him with the Panambur police, three persons have been arrested.

Those arrested are Ravikiran, Bipin of Dambel, Shediguri and Krishna of Bantwal. Search is on for another accused. Police have also taken one Raghavendra to custody for interrogations.

The incident took place  during the interval of a Thalamaddale programme ‘Mayangane-Mayamriga’ at Sri Nandaneshwara Temple  on Sunday.  It is learnt, a team which asked Bhat to come outside,  slapped him and then assaulted him.  People who had gathered for the Thalamaddale rushed to Bhat’s rescue  and trapped two of the assailants.

Bhat was serving as the manager of Hosanagar Mela  during its previous camping; Though he was supposed to play the role of Rama at the Talamaddale at Panambur on Sunday, the  failure of the artistes to arrive on time,  made him accept the role of Ravana. Though the yakshagana play was disrupted for some time due to the assault, Bhat who returned from the station after lodging a complaint continued the show.

A Thalamaddale Koota with the participation of renowned Arthadharis had been arranged at the temple in connection with Nagara Panchami It is believed that a previous enmity was the  cause of the attack. Though the assailants were heard saying that the attack was in retaliation to  the act of suspending the Sri Devi Mahatma Yakshagana show  at Town Hall,it is unlikely to be the  reason for the attack, say many.