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Karavali Yakshagana Conference 2000:
A
Grand Festival
The two
day Yakshagana conference organized by the Karnataka Folklore and
Yakshagana Academy, Mangalore University and Canara 200-D.K. District
Administration on 20 to 21st March go down in the annuals of
the history of this art, as a grand festival and get together. Organized
at the new Yakshagana Kalamandir Hall of the University brought together
about 500 artists and about 2000 people watched t he proceedings. First of
its kind, the conference will usher in a new era of awareness and
recognition for the art and discussion of various issues concerning
Yakshagana.
| Invocation by
Sri Balipa Bhagawatha and Party |
The
first day's proceedings started with fifteen senior artistes, lighting lamp
to the tune of Chande and Maddale. Dr. B A Vivek Rai gave a detailed
background and outline of the conference. While welcoming the gathering,
Sri B Ramanath Rai, the honourable minister,.who also took a leading part
in organizing the festival, spoke of the need for increased support for the
art and the Government's commitment to the cause of Culture.
Sri
M.
Veerappa Moily and Kumble Sundar Rao, spoke on the occasion. The Vice
Chancellor Prof. S. Gopal in his presiding address, spoke of the
University's interests in fostering Yakshagana and other cultural
programmes.
| Inauguration:
Giving Veelya to H Gopal Rao by Ramanath Rai. Mayor Ramesh
Kotian, Kalegowda, Dr. Rai,, Veerappa Moily, K Sunder Rao,,
Janardhan, Registrar look on |
Concern
For Artists
The
first seminar session was on the protection of artistes' interests. Prof.
Amrut Someshwar, introduced the topic addressing the various problems
faced by artistes and the need for long term programmes
for artistes' welfare. Dr. K Ramananda Banari, analysed in detail the
various aspects of artistes' interests, the responsibility of the society,
of the Govt, of the troupe owners, and the artistes themselves towards the
cause. Industrialist and art connoisseur Sri D K Chowta's announcements of
starting an Artistes Welfare Fund with a basic contribution of Rs. 50,000, was a very fitting gesture for the occasion.
The
second session was on the music of Yakshagana, Sri Sridhar Hande and H
Subbanna Bhat, two artists cum reporters, conducted the proceedings. A
number of artists from both Tenku and Badagu styles of Yakshagana
participated.
Felicitations
and performances
More
than thirty artists, all recipients of Central and State Academy Awards
were felicitated in the evening. Speaking on the occasion Sri
H P Prakash, the minister and himself an artist, spoke of the width and depth
of this art form, its importance in shaping the culture and a need for a
continued effort for the development of art.
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Honouring
by M P Prakash L-R Kalegowda, Malathi Shamsunder, MP Prakash, Vivek
Rai, Chinnappa Gowda, Sakkettu Narayana, Nedle Narasimha Bhat, MM
Hegde |
The
first day featured two performances. The ladies Yakshagana group from
Katipalla presented 'Bhasmasura Mohini'. Sri K.M. Raghavan Nambiar's 'Yakshakaumudi' group presented "Dakshayajna" with traditional
oil lamp-torch lighting. This performance exposed the audience to a new
experience.
Female
roles - co-ordination
The
second day's proceedings had two seminars.
One was on the female character, costume,
problems of expression and the need for artistic
reconstruction of female roles. Critics and artists Prof. M L Samaga and
Prof. Udyavara Madhavacharya presented and conducted the session.
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Demonstration
on female role by Sri Ambaprasad Pathala |
Fifty
Artists Honoured
Fifty
leading artists were honoured by the leading art supporter Sri Padmashri
Dharmastala Veerendra Heggade , Sri Kurunji Venkatramana Gowda. The
artists were selected from all areas of Coastal Karnataka from Kasargod
to Karvar, covering all styles, different branches and aspects including
Talamaddale form. The artistes were presented a shawl, citation, fruit
plate and a purse of Rs. 3000 each. The honour turned out to be an
emotional moment for many artistes.
Leading
artiste Shambhu Hegde spoke in detail on the various problems facing the
survival of traditional art. He appealed to all concerned to look beyond
commercial considerations, and to strike a balance between commerce and
art. Another leading artiste
K
Govinda Bhat said, if an artiste has a real commitment, he can preserve
the tradition and he will be supported by the people.
The next
session was an 'Open Discussion Time'. Dr. Prabhakar Joshy and K Chinnappa Gowda conducted the
session. Artistes and participants
interacted on various aspects of Yakshagana.
The Valedictory
was presided over by the Academy Chairman KaleGowda Nagavar,
who spoke of the Academy's new resolve, new approach and its
limitations. Prof S N Hegde, Vice Chancellor, Mysore University,
felicitated the artistes and organizers of the conference. Prof. K S Haridas Bhat, Director
R R C Udupi, who was
the Chief Guest, said that the
problems pertaining to Yakshagana have no easy solution. He said that they
require deeper analysis and
continued attention.
There
were two performances on the day. Idagunji
Mahaganapathi Troupe
presented 'Bhishma Parva' with Sri Shambhu Hegde in the leading role and
Sri Nebbur Bhagawath as the singer. Assorted professional and amateur
artistes of the -- Southern Style presented 'Trijanma Moksha' for the
whole night.
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'Bhishma
Parva' by Idugunji Troupe, Sri Shambhu Hegde as Bhishma |
Prof.
Vivek Rai, Dr M P Joshy and Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli were in overall
charge of organization, supervision and hospitality. The conference was
well attended and well appreciated for the massive effort in
organizing, the hospitality, food, honouring of artists, exhibition etc.
There were of course some aspects where things could have been done
better. However the event has created new expectations and new hopes.
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