Yakshagana puppetry to go to schools

Speaking with the mediapersons, troupe leader K V Ramesh said that the programme aims at introducing yakshagana string puppetry to schoolchildren. During the ‘Puthali yathre,’ the troupe members will demonstrate Yakshagana prasanga ‘Narakasura Vadhe.’

‘Puthali Yathre’ will be inaugurated at Srirama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka in Bantwal taluk on November 11 at 2.30 pm. RSS Karnataka Prantha’s Kajampady Subrahmanya Bhat will preside while Srirama Vidya Kendra Convener Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat will inaugurate.
Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy President Kumble Sundar Rao, Kannada Sahithya Parishat former President Harikrishna Punaroor and Kalkura Prathishtana President S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura will be the chief guests.

Venues

‘Puthali yathre’ will be held at Srirama Vidya Kendra, Kalladka; Maithreyi Gurukula, Vittal; Pramodhini Gurukula, Sringeri; Government High School, Niluvagilu in Shimoga; SDM School, Dharmasthala; Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri; Sri Gurudeva High School, Odiyur; Sharada Vidyalaya, Kodialbail; Swamiji’s Higher Secondary School, Edaneer; AUP School, Bovikana; GVHSS, Karadka; Vidyashri, Mulleria; GHS, Adoor; GHS, Pandi, Kasargod; SATHS, Manjeshwar; GVHSS, Kunjathoor; Sri Vidyavardhaka High School, Meeyapadavu; GHS, Paivalikenagara, Sri Durgaparameshwari High School, Dharmathadka; GSBS, Kumble; Mahajana Sanskrit College High School, Neerchal; GHSS, Hosadurga; GHSS, Pallikere, Hosadurga; BEM High School, Kasargod; Government Girl’s High School, Kasargod; MAUP School, Kallakatta; JSBS, Manya; DIET, Mayipadi; Sathyanarayana High School, Perla and Sri Gopalakrishna High School, Koodlu.

He said “we aim at popularising Yakshagana string puppetry and also want to pass on the art to the future generation. The Sangha also plans to set up a museum to display yakshagana dolls.”

Kalkura Prathishtana Chairman Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that Yakshagana string puppetry has been kept alive by the Sri Gopalakrishna Yakshagana Bombeyata Sangha for long and it is not taken as a profession by them. It is a passion for them.

Sri Gopalakrishna Yakshagana Bombeyata Sangha plans to hold workshop for school children to demonstrate making of puppets too in the future, he added.