Getting in touch with tradition

Rasa Sourabha

Directed by Krishnamurthy Thunga, the artistes presented two prasangas, Jambavati Kalyana and Bhasmasura Mohini very lively. The event was inaugurated by Nagaraj Seregar, chief administrative officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

Padmaja Kumari, registrar of Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, was the chief guest. The performance began with a song in praise of Lord Ganesha. After that Jambavati Kalyana commenced with the court scene of Satrajita, the king of Dwaraka. The king sends his brother Prasena to kill wild animals which are threatening his subjects.

Prasena goes hunting, wearing Syamantaka Mani, a precious stone which gives prosperity.

He is killed by a lion on his way. Jambavanta, a bear who saw this incident kills the lion and retrieves the Mani and gifts it to his only daughter, Jambavati.

Satrajita accuses Krishna of killing Prasena as he had asked for the stone earlier. In order to clear his name,

Krishna goes in search of Mani.  Krishna tracks the cave of Jambavanta. But Jambavanta refuses to return the precious stone. A fight takes place between the two and finally, Jambavanta realises that Krishna is none other than Lord Rama. He agrees to return the Syamanthaka Mani and also offers his daughter Jambavati in marriage to him.

Here the credit goes to child artistes who made it an entertaining piece. Chitkala Thunga enacted the role  of Prasena, Satwik as Satrajita, Hemanth as lion and Koustubha and Uttham who portrayed the characters of forest guards, showed that they were no less than any experienced artiste.

The next up was Bhasmasura Mohini, which got huge appreciation. This performance was extended for a while on the request of the audience. Performances by skilled artistes like Radhakrishna and Ravi Madodi made it a visual delight.

Padyas (background songs) were rendered by Krishnamurthy Thunga and Subbarao Hebbar.

“When we gave a performance a few years back here, people were not much aware of yakshagana. Now, even without publicity, we get good audience. In spite of the cricket match, people came in big numbers. Our aim was to bring navarasas on stage. That’s why we selected two prasangas and treated the audience with varied emotions,” said Radhakrishna, an artiste and one of the organisers.