Yaksha Sambhrama captivates kids

Yaksha Sambhrama is organised by Yaksha Shikshana Trust. The 20-day long programme which is held at a stretch from December 14 to January 3 is organised for high school children of Udupi district to give them an opportunity to exhibit their talent.

Yaksha Shikshana Trust was set up with a sole motto of creating Yakshagana awareness among children and thereby to enliven the legacy of the rich coastal art.

The Trust takes up training classes three days a week in the high schools across Udupi from June to January. The students attend those Yakshagana classes are given an opportunity to display their talents through Yakshagana shows. About 28 Yaksha teachers are engaged in imparting Yakshagana teaching. The entire expense that occurs to perform the play will be funded by the Trust.

Speaking to City Herald, Trust Secretary Murali Kadekar said the ‘Yaksha’ education movement will enable for the provision of comprehensive training in Yakshagana to the children. There are as many as 1,500 children from 34 schools who are given the venue to display their talent, he said. The programme is an attempt to build strong cultural values among children irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, race and status. It is a place of fun, sharing and acquiring cultural knowledge besides upholding human values.

Students are taught how to live in harmony without disparity. Students from each school stage a play to showcase their talent that they have acquired in the training classes. It is wonderful to watch the girl children outnumbering boys in counts. More than 50 per cent of the students who attend the Yakshagana classes are girls.

Kishora Yaksha Sambhrama programme was organised at Brahmavar from December 3 to 9. As many as 14 high schools participated in the Sambhrama. The total number of schools taking part this year in Udupi district has gone up to 48, in contrast to 38 schools during last year.

MLA Raghupathy Bhat who is also the President of the Trust informed that these kinds of camps will help children to overcome stage fear and it provides a platform for them to exhibit their talent.

The Trust aims at creating interest among children about Yakshagana. The art also provides brain exercise that helps them to improve their intellectual skills, he added.

Indeed children are the bona fide crusaders who can carry further the affluent culture and tradition of the land.