Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 30: "Yakshagana is neither an act of mimicry nor a circus. It is an invaluable asset left behind by our ancestors. We have been now enjoying this art form and finding happiness out of it" said veteran Yakshagana artiste, Hiriyadka Gopala Rao.

He was speaking after accepting felicitation extended to him at a felicitation-cum-symposium organized on Saturday December 29 at Nootana Raveendra Mantap of MGM College here. The programme was held under the joint aegis of Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research Centre, Yakshagana Kendra, regional Janapada stage arts study centre, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Hiriyadka Samskriti Siri Trust.

"Yakshagana happens to be one of the finest art forms which was born and bloomed in our district. It is our duty to preserve it and contribute to its further growth. Language, art and culture have always been precious assets of Hindustan. We should work to pass on its importance and richness to the next generation. Only then we can give rise to humanitarian values among the youngsters," he felt.

Writer, Dr K M Raghava Nambiar, said that Dr Shivarama Karanth had showed how to study and preserve Yakshagana art. "He also introduced this art to other countries, and made experiments with it. But all the changes cannot be dubbed as improvements, Hiriyadka Gopal Rao introduced Maddale to Yakshagana. It is a real change for the better," he analyzed. .

He further said that since the last three decades,Yakshagana has lost the intellectual property and it has been more about show of physique. He expressed the view that this has become a huge obstacle in the growth of Yakshagana. "The artists of current days lack grip on their language, and their way of delivering dialogues is uncertain. Many insist that what they are doing is right and they are not prepared to take advices of others. They do not want to be questioned. There is no doubt that because of this mindset, Yakshagana will suffer further harm," he lamented.

Yakshagana trainer, Sanjeeva Suvarna, felt that it is shameful that the government has come to recognize the contribution of Hiriyadka Gopal Rao to Yakshagana with lot of delay during his old age. "We have been claiming Yakshagana to be a great art form. But we have not done anything for Gopal Rao, who worked relentlessly to make this art form richer all his life," he said.

Administrative officer of Manipal Academy of General Education, Dr H Shantaram, presided. Writer, Prof Muraleedhar Upadhya and Prof M L Samaga were present.

Varadesh Hiregange, coordinator of Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research Centre, delivered introductory talk. Lecturer, Dr Katyayini Kunjibettu, presented the programme.