'Puthige made Yakshagana rich through Bhagavathike'

Various Bhagavath traditions have made the art of Yakshagana rich. Puthige Raghurama Holla is one among those artistes, who created their own impressions in Yakshagana, by initiating various Bhagavath traditions, opined MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

He was delivering his presidential address at the valedictory function of ‘Raghuramabhinandanam,’ organised to mark the felicitation of senior Yakshagana Bhagavath Puthige Raghurama Holla at Town Hall in Mangalore on Sunday.

Nalin said that the senior Bhagavaths of the district have fostered devotion in the hearts of people through Yakshagana, thereby setting high standards. Also, Yakshagana fans have a lion’s share of it in popularising the art. Puthige has continued the tradition of great Bhagavaths like Kadathoka Manjunatha Bhagavath and Balipa Narayana Bhagavath, by creating his own mark in Bhagavathike.

He has also mastered the other aspects of accompaniment such as ‘maddale’ and ‘chende,’ he said and opined that the tradition of innovating various styles of Bhagavathike should continue.

Himmela

Karnataka Bank MD P Jayaram Bhat told that the himmela (accompaniment) in Yakshagana is an important feature of the art and opined that more prominence should be given to himmela as well. Especially, Bhagavath is the director of the troupe and is responsible for the success of the play. Bhagavaths like Puthige Raghuram Holla have upheld the respect of himmela, he added.

Kateelu Shree Durgaparameshwari Temple Administrator and Head priest Vasudeva Asranna, BDA Commissioner T Shyam Bhat also spoke.

Felicitation

During the programme, felicitation was offered by Bhagavath Puthuige Raghurama Holla couple to Dr Purushothama Bilimale, Vidya Kolyur, Balipa Narayana Bhagavath, Mambadi Subrahmanya Bhat, Puthige Chandrashekhara Holla, Peruvodi Narayana Bhat, Padyana Shankaranarayana Bhat, Kumble Srhidhar Rao, Padyana Ganapathi Bhat, Dinesha Ammannaya and Soorikumeru K Govinda Bhat.

Meanwhile, Puthige Raghurama Holla was felicitated by Bangalore Development Authority Commissioner and Raghuramabhinandanam felicitation committee honorary President T Shyam Bhat.

Kateelu Yakshagana Mela convener K Deviprasad Shetty and Kannada Sahitya Parishat former President Harikrishna Punaroor and others were also present.