‘Professionals should bring creativity to Yakshagana'
Engineers, doctors and other professionals who have been supporting yakshagana, should strive to bring creativity to the art form, said chairman of Karnataka Yakshagana Academy Tallur Shivaram Shetty in Mangaluru on Friday.
Speaking at the Yakshamangala award presentation programme of P. Dayanand Pai and P. Satish Pai Yakshagana Study Centre at Mangalore University, Mr. Shetty said many traditional art forms were facing challenges due to neglect by younger generation. But yakshagana was thriving because of interest and support of engineers, doctors, teachers, and other professionals. Educated individuals should not only preserve tradition, but also bring creativity to the art form.
The Yakshamangala award was presented to yakshagana scholars Ramananda Banari and M.L. Samaga. Another awardee, Siddakatte Sadashiva Shettigar, who was unwell, could not attend the function. The Yakshamangala Book Award was presented to Ashoka Hasyagara of Sirsi for his Kannada book Dasharupakagala Dashavatara.
Accepting the award, Mr. Banari said he was honoured that a person from Kasaragod, Kerala, was recognised for the award. Stating that Kasaragod was a true Kannada land, Mr. Banari expressed the need for more representation from Kasaragod in Karnataka's academies and other awards.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka Folklore University K. Chinnappa Gowda, Mangalore University Registrar Raju Mogaveera, University Vice-Chancellor P.L. Dharma and Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra Director Dhananjaya Kumble also spoke.
The ceremony had yakshagana feel all through. There was 'Ganapati Kautuka', a traditional prelude to yakshagana. During felicitation of awardees, there was rendition of 'Abhinandana Geeta', a song in appreciation of awardees, in yakshagana style. These songs were composed by Deevith Sridhar Kotian.
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