JOIN USInforming this at a press meet here, the Mandali Director Keremane Shivanand Hegde said the three-day celebrations will also mark the birth centenary of Keremane Shivaram Hegde - the founder of the troupe, a national Natyotsava in memory of Keremane Shambhu Hegde and a seminar.
Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer Vishweshateertha Swamiji will inaugurate the platinum jubilee celebrations at 4.30 pm on December 25. He will also unveil a bust of Yakshagana and Janapada Academy former president Keremane Shambhu Hegde, who passed away earlier this year.
Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri will inaugurate the birth centenary of Keremane Shivaram Hegde. Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily will launch the Rashtriya Natyotsava, while KPCC President R V Deshpande will inaugurate an open air theatre.
Corporation Bank GM A Mohan Rao, writer Jayanth Kaikini, DK Kannada Sahitya Parishat President S Pradeep Kumar Kalkura will take part. Keremane Shivaram Hegde award will be presented to Hostota Manjunath Bhagavat. Critic M Prabhakar Joshi will deliver a special talk.
Kuchipudi dance by Vyjayanthi Kashi, Kathakkali by Kalamandalam Rajasekharan and team, Manipuriras, Dholcholam and Poolcholam will be the special features of the Rasthriya Natyotsava in the evening. The second-day will include two seminars, one on the contributions of Keremane family to Yakshagana, and another on the Yakshagana’s contributions, education and research in the past 75 years.
On the last day, there will be a session devoted to the future of Yakshagana presided by theatre personality K V Akshara.
The valedictory will be presided by Karnataka Yakshagana Academy Chairman Kumble Sundar Rao. The guests include Home Minister Dr V S Acharya, State Finance Commission Chairman A G Kodgi, KIADB CEO T Sham Bhat among others.About 20 artistes will be honoured on the occasion.