Bannanje Sanjeev Suvarna honoured with Kalaranga award

Veteran scholar Bannanje Govindacharya said attempts are made to turn Yakshagana extinct as the recent plays use modern artistic movements that are totally different from the traditional.

He was speaking at the felicitation programme to honour veteran Yakshagana artiste Bannanje Sanjeev Suvarna with Talluru Kanaka Annaiah Shetty Memorial Award given by Yakshagana Kalaranga at the town hall on Sunday.

The scholar said, “Innovations have massively affected the growth of Yakshagana, which is both a traditional and a classical art. There are rules for every phase of movement in Yakshagana, to mandatorily followed. The artistes these days are ignoring such sacred and essential aspects of the art, which is therefore losing its essence in the hands of ignorant people.”

History

He said that Yakshagana art was discovered by a saint at Admaru mutt. “The seer Naraharitheertha was indeed responsible the introduction of the art. Yakshagana is the greatest contribution of Udupi to the world,” he reminisced.

Govindacharya also lamented that the Ashta mutts are also slowly parting ways with the art due to the increasing orthodox mind set among the people in the mutts.

He lauded the veteran artiste Bannanje Sanjeev Suvarna for his efforts in imparting the education on Yakshagana.

Speaking after receiving the felicitation, Bannanje Sanjeev Suvarna said that his achievement is dedicated to one Devadasi who gave him the life. He also expressed his gratitude to the society for accepting him and his art.