Yakshagana The Traditional Art Of Karnataka

Yakshagana is an art of telling stories in the form of dance, music, and dialogues. Stories narrated in these plays give a positive message to humanity and we can also learn a life lesson through it. This theatre style can be experienced in parts Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, and Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. The word Yakshagana is derived from the regional Kannada language, which means song of nature-spirits. Not just Karnataka, you can also see similar kinds of art form in neighboring states like Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Andra Pradesh.

Usually, during a performance, you can see artists wearing massive headgears, vibrant costumes, facial makeup, masks, and ornaments. From earlier days these plays are presented in open-air from dusk to dawn. We can witness the usage of instruments like chenda,thaala, maddalam, chakratalk, harmoniun, and cymbals.

 

The performers are divided into 3 groups namely Himmela, Bhagavata, and Mummela.

Himmela is a background group that comprises musicians. The Bhagavata plays a key role and acts as a narrator or storyteller who introduces the plot for the audiences. Mummelas are the ones who will be performing or enacting the stories through dance and dialogues. All the components, be it music or dialogue or acting or narration can be improvised depending on which actor or scholar is performing.

Yakshagana Origin

The origin of this traditional Indian theatre form traces back to the coastal districts of Karnataka. Apparently, it evolved from pre-classical music and theatre form during the Bhakti movement from the 7th to the 10th century. However, it was established as a prominent art form during the 15th century. In the olden days, performances were based on stories drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavata, and many other great epics of ancient Indian Mythology. However, a lot has changed now, we can notice new scripts and stories taken from various Kannada plays being enacted on stage.

 

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