Report and pics from Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 6: Yakshagana plays are being held all over the metro, since several yakshagana troupes are striving for survival of yakshagana, a heroic art of coastal Karnataka.  However, majority of the yakshagana troupes are staging ‘Thenkutittu’ style of yakshagana while very few perform ‘Badagutittu’ style.  Suresh Barkal Makki, a youth and enterprising artiste, formed Sri Siddi Vinayaka Yakshagana Troupe in the metro two years ago, by bringing together all budding yakshagana artistes who are residing in the metro.

They have staged ‘Veera Vrashasena Karnarjuna Kalaga’ and ‘Kumara Vijaya – Shoora Padmasura Kalaga’ two mythological episode of yakshagana, along with the state award winning artiste Irody Govindappa, popular native artiste from Saligrama Uppunda Nagendra Rao, other native artistes including budding artistes from metro, which was directed by Manjunath Kulal, during the recently held annual day celebration of Sri Mookambika temple, Gansoli.

Temple trustee Anni C Shetty, presided over the stage programme held at the annual day celebrations.  Entrepreneur Ratnakar G Shetty, who was the chief guest present at the occasion, honoured Irody Govindappa and Uppunda Nagendra Rao by draping the shawl, presented with flower bouquet and mementoes.

Entrepreneur Shantharam B Shetty, Suresh Shetty, Shyam N Shetty, Gopal Y Shetty, Shankar Shetty, Nerul Shanishwar temple trustee Ramesh M Poojary, senior litterateur H B L Rao, Navi Mumbai Kannada Sangh president Balachandra B Rao, other temple trustees H V Suvarna and Jagdish Shetty Nandikoor and others were present on the dais.

The budding yakshagana artistes and popular journalist Ramesh Birti, Sandhya and Soumya and child artiste Agasthya and other artistes were honoured at the same occasion including yakshagana director Manjunath Kulal.

Temple secretary Suresh S Kotian compered the programme while Suresh Shetty proposed vote of thanks.