Dubai: Spectacular 'Shambhavi Vijaya' Yakshagana by Yakshamitraru, UAE
Report: Shodhan Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Pics: Ashok Belman (Gulf Kannadiga)
Dubai, Jun 14: Yakshamitraru UAE have presented a spectacular "Shambhavi Vijaya" Kannada Yakshagana ballet show which mesmerized the audience and took them to ‘Yakshaloka’ for a period of not less than eight hours of professional presentation by amateur artistees of UAE.
The sounds of the ‘chende’ rippled and echoed bringing Yakshagana lovers from all over UAE much before the scheduled time of the show. The jam-packed audience sat glued to their seats until 11 pm cheering and applauding throughout. The show was held recently at Emirates English Speaking School Auditorium wherein a beautiful ‘Ranga Mantapa’ was erected, beside which a ‘Hoovina Uyyale’ (cradle) was also installed for the ‘Devi’.
Yakshagana is a musical dance drama popular in coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, which consists of Himmela (background musicians) and a Mummela (dance and dialog group) which together perform a Yakshaga Prasanga. Himmela consisting of Bhagawata who is also the facilitator (singer), Maddale, Harmonium for drone and Chende (loud drums). The music is based on ragas characterized by melodic patterns called Mattu and Yagshagana Tala and performance usually depicts a story from the Indian epics and puranas. It consists of a narrator (Baghawatha) who either narrates the story by singing or sings pre-composed dialogs of characters, backed by musicians playing on traditional musical instruments as the actors dance to the music, with actions that portray the story as it is being narrated. All the components of Yakshagana, music, dance and dialog are improvised. Depending on the ability and scholarship of the actors, variation in dance and amount of dialogue may change.
Yakshamitraru UAE Dubai proved their ability and were successful in presenting Yakshagana in this part of the world with the local artistees supported by three-member team from India who came here for the first time in support of the theme ‘Shambhavi Vijaya’ which normally is played as an offering to the Goddess.
Famous Bhagavathar Patla Satish Shetty of Sri Kateel Mela who is blessed with agolden voice took the whole story flawlessly with the sweet melody pouring out of the sound speakers with crystal clear narration supported by continuous applause from the audience.
Another artiste from the same mela, Gerukatte Gangayya Shetty who performed as ‘Mahishasura’ gave a superb stunning performance, doing full justice to the character he portrayed with his looks and costume.
The sound of drums (Chende) by Adoor Laxminarayan Rao reverberated across the venue, creating magic. His hand movements were too quick to be captured even with professional camera.
The musicians were supported by Venkatesh Shastri, Madhoor Laxminarayan, Karunakar, Sharath Kumar and Jagannath Bellare.
The show started with traditional puja performed by Purohit and then handing over the ‘rang mantap’ to Bhagavathar to continue with other formalities. Later, the chief guests were invited to the stage and the traditional lighting of the lamp ceremony took place, witnessed by well-known community leaders, presidents and executive members of various Kannadiga Associations of UAE, businessmen, friends and supporters of Yakshagana who came in large numbers.
On the whole it was a brilliant performance by troupe, backed by meticulous organisation. From the stage setting, colourful dressings, variety of headgear, weapons, make-up, enacting of various characters, sounds, lighting, seating, hall seating, ambience everything perfectly done and presented. This presentation will remain in the memories of the audience forever and ever.
Felicitations of guest artistes
Gerukatte Gangayya Shetty was felicitated and honoured with "Yakshagana Kala Bhargawa" award.
Patla Satish Shetty was felicitated and honoured with "Bhagavatha Kala Praveena" award.
Adoor Laxminarayana Rao was felicitated and honoured with "Yakshagana Kala Kirana" award.
All the recipients of the awards were first timers to UAE and have gained appreciations from the Yakshagana lovers of UAE. They were all honoured with flowers, fruits, shawls, memento and the awards by the sponsors in the presence of the audience who cheered and applauded.
Stars of the evening
Gerukatte Gangayya Shetty in the role of Mahishasura is a well-known artiste in this field and presented this performance after a long gap of some years. His immediate response was that Yakshamitraru’s dedication and presentation is not less than any professional troupe in India.
Kishore Gatty, actively known as make-up magician had participated in many Yakshagana programmes in India. An experienced person from long had portrayed the characters of Brahma, Suparsvaka and Mundasura.
Ravi Uchil another well known experienced great artiste who had presented various shows in India, Japan and elsewhere had portrayed the characters of Vishnu & Rakthabeejasura.
Sudhakar Thumbe another well known artiste who had presented many shows in India and UAE portrayed the character of Shumbasura wearing a heavy headgear of 7.5 kg.
Shekar D Shettigar, experienced artiste with Kateel Mela and well known personality, portrayed the character of Chandasura and Madhu.
Balakrishna D Shettigar another experience artistes portrayed the characters of Kaitiba & Bidalasura.
Harish M S Yeyyadi an trained Yakshagana artistes portrayed the characters of Vidyunmalini, Maha Kali and Simha.
Asha Correa, a well-known Konkani artiste of UAE in singing and drama portrayed the role of ‘Aadi Maye’ beautifully, without showing any sign that she it was her first Yakshagana performance.
Donald Correa, again a renowned Konkani star of UAE in singing, drama etc, portrayed the role of Sugreeva, appreciated by all. Both Asha and Donald took up this Yakshagana assignment for the first time as a challenge and succeeded. Their love and affection for the art and culture of Tulunadu Yakshagana, attracted them to this event in presenting a successful performance.
Anikethan Sharma, a young boy who often used to see his parents dedication to Yakshagana got attracted and wanted to be part of the art. His portrayal as Agni really mesmerized the audience who went on cheering, clapping and applauding. Earlier he had played the role of Koti in Koti Chennayya prasanga some time ago.
Sharanya Venkatesh Shashtri, a young girl who earlier played ‘Chennaya’ in Koti Chennayya prasanga, portrayed the role of Varuna and gained applaud.
Bhavanishanker Sharma, the main character, who from his college days used to take part in Yakshagana in Himmela, Mummela, playing drums is well known in UAE with his participation in religious activities. He had earlier portrayed the role of ‘Devi’ in the previous occasion and became a household name. His posture, broad face, built, gracefulness and moreover the role itself is suiting to him so closely that one can see the real ‘Goddess’ in him as he makes his appearance on stage. His did full justice to the role this time too and the audience saw him with devotion without blinking the eyes.
Krishna Prasad Bhat, an singer and an ardent follower of Yakshagana from his college days portrayed the role of Malini beautifully.
Harish Kamath, devotee of Vitla Gopalkrishna Joshi, household name as comedian in UAE circles proved his character portraying the role of Hasyagara Purohit so perfectly with the huge applaud of appreciation from the audience.
Santosh Karmar, also an trained artiste portrayed the role of Maheshwara.
Chidanand Poojary, a strong pillar of Yakshamitraru UAE and Chief Convener, always leaves a impression on the stage whenever he appears. He portrayed the role of Devadoota and mesmerized the audience with his comical dialogues. His dreams proved to be success after the staging of this Yakshagana.
Other artistes include veteran Prabhakar Suvarna as Brahma, Vasanth Sherigar as Diti Devi, Padmanabh Kateel as wife of purohit, Vikram Kadandale as Nishumbhasura, Yaksha & Kubera, Krishnaraj Rao as Sankasura & Dhoomarakshasa, Krishna Kumar Ile as Durgasura, Sandeep Barke as Devadoota, Vasu Bayaru as Devendra, Saumya Dhananjaya as Vayu Deva, Subramanya as Varuna and Devis enacted by Deepa Jagannath, Saumya Vasanth, Suvarna Satish, Saumya Dhananjaya along with Rakthabeejas Shenoy and Thandha. Vishawanath Shetty an experience actor portrayed as Rakhteshwari was beautifully enacted.
Well-known artiste P V Paramesh was flown all the way from India. He creatively decorated the faces of all the actors so beautifully within few hours and was felicitated for his contribution.
The stage setting was done by Chidanand Poojary and his troupe and the back stage help was provided by Dinesh Poojary, Prabhakar Poojary, Satish Ullal, Sudhakar Poojary, Rajesh Kuthar, Jayant Shetty, Kishore Poojary, Rajesh Shetty Ajman, Taranath Rai and other enthusiastic members. Dinesh Shetty managed the organisational side of the programme while Vittal Shetty presented as MC. Prasad Rai arranged the amazing lights and sound.
At the end of the programme all the artistes were invited on to the stage and felicitated with mementos. Invitee Ramesh Manjeshwar of Yaksha Bahrain was also called on the stage and felicitated with flowers. Some of the known senior artistes like Srinivas Bhat, Anil Nayak who came from India to witness this show were called upon on the stage and honoured. The media representatives were also presented with mementos.