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Yakshagana literally means the music of celestial beings. It is also the name
for a theatrical form of Karnataka and in this context signifies a particular
style of music never really gained national prominence and remained as an
accompaniment to the magnificent dance drama traditional of Karnataka and so
Yakshgana today invokes images of only its theatrical version. In earlier times
the dance drama that was written with the yakshagana style of music was called
Bayalata, Bhagvatara ata. of Dashavatara ata. Over 160 ragas or melodies seemed
to have existed, though today only about 30 are repeated most often.
Yakshagana (ya-ksha-gaa-na, roughly translated as Celebration of the
Celestials) is a complete theater which includes song, dance and drama
and, is extremely popular in Malnad, Uttara and Dakshina Kannada districts of
the Karnataka State.
It is essentially a stage form which entertains and educates the rural folks. A
team consists of 15-20 actors who carry their bag and baggage on their heads and
walk from one village to another, covering 20-30 kilometers a day. They camp in
a temple, and erect an extremely simple stage by using just four poles and many
leaves for decoration. People with their families walk or ride their bullock
carts to witness a performance. An episode from Ramayana or Mahabahrat is
elected and accordingly the team do their own make-up and wear very attractive
and colorful costumes. There are no women in any team, and hence
men wear saris and bras, and thus become women! |
