English Yakshagana in Mangalore today

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, P Santhosh Aithal, advocate and son of late P V Aithal said the troupe will perform English Yakshagana scripted by P Santhosh Aithal. The troupe has so far presented ‘Brahma Kapala,’ ‘Daksha Dwara,’ ‘Girija Kalyana,’ ‘Sri Krishna Parijatha,’ ‘Narakasura Moksha,’ ‘Sairendri Keechaka’ and ‘Akshayambara’ in English.
The troupe has performed in cultural festivals at Mumbai, Chennai, Tiruchi, Nagapur, Bangalore, and other places on invitation from organisers, Aithal said.

He said the troupe has drawn up an ambitious programme to compile 10 episodes of Yakshagana in English and bring out a book. This will be gifted to schools and colleges, Santhosh said, adding that the main intent of this project is to enthuse the students to take to this folk art form.  The organisers will honour Yakshagana background artistes Padyanna Shankarnarayana Bhat, Deewana Shankar Bhat, Krishnayya Achar in recognition of their contribution to the field of Yakshagana on the occasion, Sathyamurthy noted.

Commissioner of Income tax Vivek Varun Prasad will preside over the function while Karnataka Yakshagana Academy President Kumble Sundar Rao and Senior advocate Seetharam Shetty will be the chief guests. Pejavar Mutt seer Vishveshatheertha Swamiji would bless the occasion.