Yakshagana Academy proposes to increase awards to 15

The Karnataka Yakshagana Academy has submitted a proposal to the state government to hike the number of its awards to 15 to recognise artistes from all the forms of Yakshagana.

Although the Academy has not sought additional funds, the government is dilly-dallying over approval of the proposal.

The forms of Yakshagana include Tenkutittu, Badagutittu and Talamaddale are popular. There are however, other forms of Yakshagana like Moodalapaya, Ghattadakore and Kelike, which are fast becoming extinct. Moodalapaya art is spread across 14 districts including Tumakuru, Mysuru, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagara, Davanagere and Kolar. Unfortunately, it is only the older generation artistes who are presenting these art forms. There is a need to train the younger generations in such forms, said sources.

Ghattadakore art form in Mysuru area, for instance, was popular in the past, but now, only one family presents it. ‘Kelike’ too is a form that has remained with the older generations.

To identify these art forms, it was decided to increase the number of awards to 15. Already, the Janapada Academy gives 30 awards, the Nataka Academy gives 25 awards, and the Sahitya Academy 15. Unfortunately, Yakshagana forms that are spread across the state have only five awards, said the proposal submitted to the state government.

There is a need to identify achievers in Thenkutittu, Badagutittu, Himmela, Mummela, Bannagarike and Talamaddale artistes. The Academy also wants to recognise artistes in other forms of Yakshagana Bayalata that are less popular. The present five awards cannot reach out to all the artistes, said the Academy.

The Yakshagana Bayalata Academy has an annual grant of Rs 1.1 crore. Hence, it will not have any problem increasing the number of awards. With the available funds, the Academy wishes to reach out to artistes in all forms of Yakshagana and Bayalata, said Academy president Prof M A Hegde.