'Yaksha Kala Nidhi' award conferred on Balipa

Sharing his views after honouring eminent Bhagavata of Thenku Thittu Yakshagana Balipa Narayana Bhagavata with ‘Yaksha Kala Nidhi- 2011’ award by Academy of Thenku Thittu Yakshagana (ATTY) at Town Hall on Tuesday, he stressed the need to document yakshagana.

“We feel enthralled hearing the bhagavatike of Balipa Narayana Bhagavata. At the same time, there is a worry that the future generation may not get this opportunity,” he said and stressed the need to document the art form for the future generation.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Balipa Narayana Bhagavata said that organising yakshagana artists and art lovers helps to develop the art.

“We just know the names of Partisubbha and many others as Yakshagana legends, but we never saw them. Future generation should not face this problem. The name of art and artists should be long lived,” Balipa Narayana Bhagavata added.

Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Commissioner Shanadi Ajit Kumar Hegde said that Yakshagana is an art form with its own style. Here mythological stories are staged in a small stage and this art always helped to expand the imagination capacity of the people.

Sponsorer of the programme, Gold Finch Resident Director Prasad Kumar Shetty, Academy of Thenku Thittu Yakshagana Directors Saravu Krishna Bhat and Vidya Kolyur were present.

Kannada Yakshagana show ‘Drowpadi Vasthrapahara’ was staged during the occasion.