Separate varsity sought for Yakshagana

Addressing a revival camp for the young Yakshagana professionals that commenced under the aegis of Karnataka Yakshagana Academy and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala at Siddhavana Gurukula in Ujire on Sunday, he said the university would help indepth study into Yakshagana, having vast potential for research. “Yakshagana is both a simple and a complex art that has academic significance. Even ‘nagamandala’ has impact on this popular genre. The secular quality of Yakshagana is really commendable,” he said. In his inaugural address, Home Minister Dr V S Acharya advised the artistes to achieve expertise in their field in order to keep the art alive.

“Yakshagana is an invaluable contribution of the coastal Karnataka to the world. The Kannada and Culture Department has allotted Rs 180 crore for the strengthening of the art. Yakshagana should be taught at school-level,” he said and expressed his pleasure over children and women entering the Yakshagana field.