Yakshagana, the 1,000-year-old dance form, which continues to mesmerise countless admirers across the globe, was born in a bygone age when life was uncomplicated and art and entertainment was all about colour, movement and pure histrionics. But why are modern whiz kids, whose lives revolve around mindboggling maths and hi-tech science, so fascinated by the song of natural spirits or Yakshagana? Is it the intrinsic ability of this art to portray human joy and pathos so brilliantly which has kept it vibrant across the centuries, continuing to tease and enthral young minds?
Who said that love for one’s own native language and a brilliant career, do not go together in an English dominated world? Meet Manu Kashyap, SSLC topper in Dakshina Kannada, who is currently doing his first year pre-university course at Kateel PU College. He can speak on any subject in chaste Kannada for hours without an English word included! It could be the puranas, epics or even vedic science, Kashyap is unbeatable. He is no less versatile in English when he needs to master complex science subjects.
And here comes the most exciting part of the Manu story. He is also a wonderful Yakshagana artiste and credits this to the overwehelming popularity of the folk art in coastal districts of Karnataka. “Yakshagana is a unique art, Sri Durga Makkala Mela of Kateel provides training in all components of Yakshagana. I did my training in Yakshagana Nrithya (dance) and Bhagavathike (background singing). As we need to speak only in pure Kannada, I am able to converse fluently in the language, as most of the story plots are related to mythology, I know many of them. I have been to many shows and people of the region identify me because of my association with Yakshagana,” Manu who has now completed a three-year course in Yakshagana, told DC.
No different is the story of Vishwanath, Manu’s friend, who completed his Yakshagana course when in Class 10 and got 95 per cent marks. The PU student, like many others, has been trained at Sri Durga Makkala Mela in Kateel, considered one of the pioneer institutions in the dance.
These youngsters have a point to prove to those who contend that traditional art and modern science can’t co-exist. Yakshagana, the kids contend, gives them an independent image and identity as artistes. While building their careers as young scientists and professionals, they can also showcase their artistic talent. Yakshagana also helps the younger generation learn about the values and tradition of India and mythological characters making education an interesting experience.
Learning Yakshagana is, however, no easy task. An artiste should concentrate on the beats of the instruments, background songs, the character he has to play and the dialogue. This naturally increases the concentration power of children, which in turn helps them in studies and in their personal growth.
“We have found that almost all the toppers in Kateel School are students of Yakshagana,” says Sri Durga Makkala Mela president Sriharinarayanadasa Asranna. Though there are several Makkala Melas in the region, Durga Makkala Mela has unique features which make it special. “The speciality of our Mela is that we train children all elements of Yakshagana, including Nrithya (Dance) Bannagarike or Mukhavarnike (makeup), Chande Maddale (two forms of drums), Bhagavathike (background singing and direction) and above all Arthagarike (conversation). We are the only team which teach all these forms in the region,” Asranna asserts. Children can opt for the field of their interest and emerge as experts in these forms. The three-year training provides them a comprehensive base in Yakshagana. “Most of the children opt for Nrithya, a few opt for Arthagarike as it is very difficult,” he says.
Yakshagana is a tough form of art as there is no written script. The dialogue is spontaneous and the artiste needs to have good knowledge of the plot and the character. It also makes the artiste a good orator. As only chaste Kannada is used in Yakshagana, the mastery of the child artiste over Kannada increases. “Every child who attends the Makkala Mela speaks pure Kannada without a tint of other languages. Majority of the students who attend our classes are from English medium. But their Kannada is excellent,” Asranna says.
Every student at Makkala Mela is taught all they need to know about mythological characters and epics so that they can produce a good show. As they see more shows and keep learning, the art of Yakshagana slowly gets ingrained in them making them perfect artistes.
Another speciality of Durga Makkala Mela is the rejuvenation of several ‘Poorva Ranga,’ acts which have almost been forgotten. Poorva Ranga acts are shown before the main plot in Yakshagana. Due to various reasons, Poorva Ranga acts have almost vanished from the region. However, Makkala Mela has been teaching children the forgotten Poorva Ranga acts to ensure that the old tradition continues.
“There are some unique Poorva Ranga characters like Ardha Narishwara, Ranga Ranginaata, Kolaata, Kaatuhasya and Are Pavinata. Each one is unique. The last four have almost become extinct as they have not been exhibited for about 5 decades. With the help of experts like K Govinda Bhat and Prasad Balipa, we have rejuvenated them and have started teaching the children since last year. This is an effort to ensure that the old tradition continues,” Asranna says.
Makkala Mela has 132 students this year and the majority of them are girls. The numbers are increasing –over the last eight years; there were 220 students but this year alone, there are132 students clearly pointing to the increasing popularity of the art among the younger generation. Any child below 16 years can join Sri Durga Makkala Mela. The class is only on weekends and on government holidays. No class or show is held after February 10 or after 11 pm. Teaching is entirely free. “We take all precautions to ensure that school education is not affected by Yakshagana,” Asranna says.
Though ‘Makkala Mela,’ has invites from various parts of the country (and also the Middle-East) for shows, the management ensures that only 40 shows are arranged every year.“We do not want to burden the children. The shows are not for commercial gain,” he added.
Most of the children who are trained in Makkala Mela want to continue their Yakshagana shows. Not only children from Kateel, even those from distance places come to Kateel to learn Yakshagana. As the number of Yakshagana lovers increases, so does the audience for this unique art. “We also need a good and knowledgeable audience,” Asranna adds.
Many of the children who are trained at Makkala Mela, never forget their Yakshagana roots.“At present I am unable to concentrate much on Yakshagana due to studies. But I continue to practice regularly. In future I will continue to do Yakshagana shows,” Manu says. That’s a strong message to those who aver that traditional art stands no chance against the faster and contemporary versions of dance.
