JOIN USYakshagana, being considered an auspicious art form, is complete in itself with the combination of dance, music and conversation, while any one of these components will be missing in other arts, said Udupi Puthige Mutt seer Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji.
He was speaking after conferring Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga Award on senior Yakshagana artiste Dr Kolyur Ramachandra Rao in Town Hall on Wednesday.
Puthige seer said, “Yakshagana brings happinnes to all, irrespective of age. It is also an art, which gives pleasure to mind as well as intellect. There is an opportunity for Yakshagana artists to exhibit their scholarship through ‘arthagarike’.
Swamiji further said that Malpe Shankaranmarayana Samaga, on whose name the award is initiated, was a Haridasa and along with being a Yakshagana artiste of great repertoire.
“Great achievements are not always sacred. But some achievements like being a Haridasa, is considered sacred as Bhagavadgitha says that those who create devotion in people’s hearts, is the most sacred endeavor,” Swamiji said and added that by distributing awards in the name of legendary artistes, the artistes name remains immortal. Also, it is a respect to the artistes who receive such awards.
Remembering Bhadragiri Achyutha Das, who left to the heavenly abode on Tuesday, Putghige Shri said that Bhadragiri was a Haridasa who fostered devotion in the hearts of people through his ‘Harikathas’ in Kannada, Tulu and Konkani languages.
Answering to the felicitation, Dr Kolyuru Ramachandra Rao said that a Yakshagana artiste should not disappoint his audience. He said he was very excited to receive the award which has been given in the name of his Guru Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga. Kolyuru remembered the days when he performed as a junior artiste in the role of Rohithswa in the Yakshagana play ‘Harishchandra’ with Samaga, where Samaga played Harishchandra.
Kolyuru further said that Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga who was popularly known as ‘Dodda Samaga’ or elder Samaga was instrumental in introducing and establishing the plays ‘Harishchandra’ and ‘Nala-Damayanthi’ in Yakshagana, which were basically theatrical. Samaga created several new plays like ‘Chandravali Vilasa’ and ‘Balagopala’ to add a new touch to the art, Kolyuru added.
Floral tributes were offered to Bhadragiri Achyuthadas, who passed away on Tuesday.
Yakshagana Bayalata Academy former President Kumble Sundar Rao delivered the felecitation speech.
Artistes of Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali, Nidle, performed Yakshagana plays ‘Kalinga Mardhana’ and Panchajanya’ on the occasion.
Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura presided over the programme, Yakshagana Bayalata Academy former President Prof M L Samaga was the chief guest.