'Don't restrict yakshagana to coastal districts'

The yakshagana art should not be restricted to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada alone. The State government should recognise and encourage yakshagana as a state art, said Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy President Kumble Sundar Rao.

Speaking after inaugurating ‘Vidyarthi Yakshagana Sambhrama 2011’ organised by the Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy here at Town Hall on Friday, he said just like the way Odissi is for Orissa, Kathakkali for Kerala, Yakshagana should be recognised as Karnataka’s art form. The Yakshagana has all the eligibility to become a State art form.

He said the art forms can create revolution in the society. Under the leadership of Udupi MLA, a revolution in yakshagana was created through ‘Vidyarthi Yaksha Sambhrama’ in Udupi. Unfortunately, our MLAs have failed to take such an initiative, he lamented.

Mangalore University Registrar Dr Chinnappa Gowda said art forms should be exhibited for its survival. There is a need to pass on yakshagana art form to the future generation.

The students along with studying yakshagana should have deep knowledge on the art.

There is a need to create a class of audience for the yakshagana along with the creation of new teams for yakshagana performance.

Mayor Rajani Dugganna inaugurated the programme. Alva’s College students presented ‘Ekadashi Mahatme,’ Puttur Vivekananda College students presented ‘Markandeya charithre’ ‘Seetha kalyana’ was staged by the students of Karkala Bhuvanendra College and ‘Shanmukha Vijaya’ by the students of Sri Rama Higher Primary School, Farangipet on the occasion.