Bhagawatha Mela is a tradional dance drama of Tanjavur Dristrict  in Tamilnadu.  This art is a sister or a cousin of yakshagana, we can say. It is Telugu art form surviving in Tamilnadu originally probably a branch of what we call as 'Kuchipudi', it went to Tamilnadu in about 1600 A D.  Now it is surviving in Melattur, Salaimangalam, Itthukadu etc.  It is perfomed only during Narasimha Jayanti.  It is now highly classicalised in its dance.  It has limited spoken words.  It is an interesting form.

Melattur Sri Laxmi Narasimha Jayanti Bhagawatha Mela Natya Nataka Sangham arranged the 60th annual festival this year from 28th of May to 2nd of June at Sri Varadarajaswami Temple. The festival included besides Bhagawatha Mela shows, Harikatha, Kuchipudi, Gramiya Ramayanam and Sankirthanam.  Kalaimamani Sri S Natarajan, the troupe leader and the leading actor has appealed for support to preserve the great traditional art in Melattur.  

Another troupe, Bhagawatha Mela Natya Vidya Sangam led by Sri Bharatham R Mahalingam also perfoms the Bhagawatha Mela dance drama in Melattur.  

Watching Bhagawatha Mela is a rich art experience. 

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        Maddlegar Kinnir is no more

Senior Percussionist, Kinnir Narayana Hegde died recently at Kinnir, Malkod near Honnavar of U K District.  He was seventy.  Known for his outstanding command over the Maddale, Kinnir was a master of drum melody, clean and clear finger beats, adherence to traditional method and excellent follow-work on the stage, Kinnir was a team man.  He was the associate of senior artists like Keremane Shivarama Hegde, Yaji Bhagavath and Nebbur Bhagawath.

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Jalandhar Rai Passes Away

Young yakshagana actor, social activist and school teacher, Jalandhar Rai (42) died at Mangalore, recently.  This was, a tragic end to a multifaceted career of great social value.  Sri Rai hails from Serthaje of Nidpalli, Puttur.  He was a science teacher at Anandashram High School Kotekar.  Rai was an amateur yakshagana artist and art organiser.  His roles like Hiranyaksha, Devendra, Rakthabhija, Madhu Kaitabha, Chandamunda, Sri Rama, Koti, Chennaya and many more had brought him laurels.  Sri Rai was a Kabaddi player, a social worker, teachers organisation leader and environmentalist.  

 
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Deraje Samskritiranga, Chokkady

A cultural forum by the above name has been started at Chokkady Sri Rama Temple, Chokkady, Sullia Taluk of D.K. It aims at perpetuating the memory of artist and writer Sri Deraje Seetharamayya (1914 - 1984). Also called Chokkady Seetharamayya, he is considered to be one of the all time greats of Talamaddale form of art.  Born at Aivarnadu, he made Chokkady, the centre of his activities.  He founded the Chokkady Sri Rama temple.  The Samskritaranga is run by a Trust.  It aims to organise various activities like seminars on Deraje's works, on Talamaddale, honouring of artistes, running a yakshagana library, publication etc. besides weekly and special Talamaddale performances.  The forum will provide a befitting memorial to the great artist, writer and humanist Sri Deraje. 

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'Yakshaprabandhagalu' Released

'Yakshaprabandhagalu' - a collection of critical writings on yakshagana by Prof. Udyavara Madhavacharya has been released recently.  Prof Acharya is a critic, short writer and a stage director.  The present book six articles dealing with various aspects of yakshagana.  The book is published by Vyasa Prakashana Udupi, and is priced Rs. 30/-.  The articles give interesting observations and insights into the theoretical and practical aspects of yakshagana.

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Kalaranga: Silver Feathers

Kalaranga Udupi, a leading performance group and art welfare organisation, organised another week long festival from the 23rd to 30th of May as a part of their Silver Jubilee year series of programmes. The festival included performances by seven leading groups, including two professional troupes.  It also included one demonstration by Sridar Uppur, Balipa Narayana Bhagavata, T Jayant Kumar and others, and artists' get-together, and review seminar.  The seminar was led by leading experts H Subbanna Bhat, Prof. M L Samaga, Sadananda Aithal and others. 

This unique series of programmes was blessed and supported by Sri Sri Vishweshsha Thirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt and sponsored by a group of art loving business people.  The festival was well attended and was a grand success, said the Kalaranga President Sri Jagajivandas Shetty and the secretary Sri Murali Kadekar.

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Talamaddale at Rangamane Mysore