'Plans on anvil to introduce certificate course in Yakshagana'

Speaking at the valedictory, Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat informed that government has allotted Rs 180 crore to Kannada and Culture department for introducing welfare programmes for yakshagana artistes. The government should support the organisations like Yakshagana Kalaranga that strive hard to provide an identity to the artistes.

Plans are being chalked out to introduce certificate course in Yakshagana. There is no shortage of enthusiasts who would prefer to take up the course, but the problem lies with the shortage of teachers to impart the skills and knowledge of Yakshagana to the pupils.

Karnataka Yakshagana Academy President Kumble Sunder Rao said Yakshagana lacks State identity. Confusion still prevails regarding the art that represents uniqueness of Karnataka. Academy is an organisation without an authority that lacks required number of officials to execute the work, he said.

Artistes are the ambassadors of culture who propagate art among the masses. They are the true messengers of the religious and cultural values besides being the source of inspiration, said Paryaya Putthige Sri Krishna mutt Seer Sugunendratheertha.

Janardhan Mahakali Temple Ambalpadi Dhrmadharshi Dr N B Vijaya Ballal inaugurated the programme.

Sri Ramachadrapura Mutt Hosnagar Seer Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Mahaswami delivered the spiritual address on the occasion. The book on the activities of Yakshagana Kalaranga ‘Yaksha suraksha’ was released by Shankar Family Trust President G Shankar.
Syndicate Bank GM Srihari Bhat, Purushottham Shetty from Ujwala Developers Manipal, Yakshagana Kalaranga President Thallur Shivaram Shetty and Secretary Murali Kadekar were present.