News: Shodhan Prasad

Dubai, Jan 23: On the occasion of 71st Republic Day of India, a performance of Yakshagana, which is the traditional and age old theatrical dance recital from the state of Karnataka will be held on Friday, January 24 at 6 pm at the auditorium of JSS International School in Jumeirah Village Circle in the city as per the press release by Consulate General of India, Dubai.

A well-renowned group of 15 artistes from Udupi district in Karnataka will be presenting the programme in Kannada. The event is being jointly organized by Consulate General of India, Dubai and FoI Events. The event is open to all art lovers and entry is free.

Yakshagana is a traditional Indian theatre form which was developed in key districts of Karnataka which permeated to the Kasargod district in Kerala giving the dance art form a wider audience. The theatrical dance form combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up and stage techniques with a unique style and is believed to have evolved from pre- classical music and theatre.

A typical Yakshagana performance consists of background music played by a group of musicians (known as the Himmela) and a dance and dialogue group (known as the Mummela), who together enact poetic epics on stage. The performance of Gajendra Moksha, which is inspired by the mythological stories of ancient India, dwells on the theme of dissolving the ego to surrender to faith and will be led by the popular yakshaguru Rakesh Rai, who is sponsored by Panambur Venkatraya Aithal Samskruti Pratisthana.

The doors to this event will open at 4.30 pm with the performance set to start at 6 pm.

For more information contact Gopika Mayya on email gopimayya@gmail.com.