Yakshagana

Yakshagana is both theatre form and generic term for different theatre forms across south India. As a theatre form, it inspired the emergence of Kuchipudi which incorporated classical music and dances along lines prescribed by the Natyashastra.

The Yakshagana of the south Kanara area of Karnataka is the most popular of the Yakshaganas. Scholars are divided in opinion about the antiquity of this form: some hold that it was created in the sixteenth century, while others maintain that it came into existence a few centuries earlier. The word Yaksha refers to the demi-gods associated with Kubera (the god of wealth); Gana means song.

The three elements of dance, song and dialogue co-exist within established structural norms The songs themselves, known as prasanga, are poetic in nature, and based on episodes from the Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. These prasangas have remained unchanged in their melody (raga) and meter. Publication of these has meant that songs from even hundreds of years ago have been saved for posterity. It is the bhagavat or chief musician who sings the prasangas and therefore controls the pace of the performance.

The dialogues are often unrecorded, because they may vary from one actor to another, and from one performance to the next. It is these improvised dialogues that interpret the prasangas for the audience, and the dancer-actors need to be particularly sensitive to the needs of the audience. The clown (hasyagar) is an integral part of any performance.

The heart-shaped headdresses of the warriors, the tinsel-covered wooden crowns of the kings, the spiky makeup and extremely large headdresses of the demons : all earmark a Yakshagana performance.

These performances are staged by itinerant groups under temple management. The touring season commences in November with a performance at the home temple, and continues till May.

 

 

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