'Yakshagana artistes should get monthly pension'

District In-charge Minister U T Khader said that the need to introduce monthly pension for Yakshagana artistes will be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

He was speaking at the Yakshadhruva Sports Meet 2019 – organised for professional Yakshagana artistes – by the Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation at Mangala Stadium on Tuesday.

“Yakshagana artistes do not have employment in the Yakshagana Mela throughout the year. Several artistes find it difficult to eke out a living,” he pointed out.

MLA Vedavya Kamath said, “Yakshagana is a cultural heritage of the land. There is a need to preserve this art form. There is a need to introduce the art form to the schoolchildren.”

The Yakshagana artistes took part in 100-metre, 400-metre, 300-metre, 50-metre, 75-metre race, throwball, bomb in the city, musical chair, 4x100 meter relay, tug of war, cricket and other sports competitions on the occasion.