JOIN USKarnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy President Nadoja Belegallu Veeranna said government should instruct all temples and mutts to facilitate experiment of Yakshagana shows at regular intervals.
Speaking at the two day ‘Yakshagana Bayalata Rangasambhrama’ organised by Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy, Bengaluru, he said there is an urgent need of measures for the survival of the folk art.
The government and academy should jointly take actions to promote the art especially in temples and mutts, which would turn act as patronises. He said although Yakshagana has acquired global status among all other folk arts, measures need to be taken to promote the art at larger scale.
He said Yakshagana at present exists only in 2-3 districts, however academy should take measures to promote the art extensively world wide. He said the other forms of Yakshagana should also be encouraged.
Asserting that funds released through academy should directly go to the welfare of the artists, he said the amount the academy receives is Rs 1 crore and maximum amount is spent on the promotion of folk art and the welfare of the artists.
The fest Rangasambhrama is organised to bring in all folk arts like ‘Bombeyata’, ‘Doddata’ and ‘Sannata’ to the single forum. There are nearly 60-70 artists groups, he added.
Stating that the professional Yakshagana artist undergoes the worst humane livelihood, the veteran Yakshagana artist said measures should be taken to improve the livelihood of the artists who engages in the art professionally, he added.
Classical status
Earlier speaking after inaugurating the festival, Alvas Education Foundation President Mohan Alva demanded classical art form status for Yakshagana. He said until now State has no art identified as State art. Yakshagana should be declared as State art in the lines of Mohiniyattum, which is the State art of Kerala.
Lamenting that the people in State have failed to promote Yakshagana at global level, Alva said the art has bequeathed nearly 800 years of legacy.
Nearly 250 Yakshagana Melas existed and at present there are nearly 40-50 Melas. There are nearly 1500 professional artists with 100 amateur troupes.
At least 10000 shows of Yakshagana would be held every year. Nearly 2000 families are directly and indirectly dependent on Yakshagana. He stressed for the need of documentation of various facets involved in Yakshagana, he added.