Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Sep 21: Talents of taluk agriculture officer of Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Gramabivriddi project, Chethan Kumar are immense. Along with interest in agriculture, he is an amateur Bhagavath in Yakshagana art as well as a melodious singer of Bhajans. Now he is also composing Yakshagana Prasanga.

Chethan is the eldest child of Gopala and Girija Poojary of Konanamakki household of Moodumunda village of Bellala. He was interested in Yakshagana right from his childhood. His grandfather Subbaiah Poojary also supported him to become a Bhagavath in Yakshagana. His mother instilled cultural awareness in him.

He was the school pupil leader when he was in 10th standard. He used to participate actively in all the cultural activities in school. He was in the forefront of compering, small plays, comedy skits and musical programmes in school.

Chethan wanted to learn professional Bhagavathike. But the financial difficulties at home were the setback. So he joined as a labourer in a factory. In 2009, he joined Shree Kshethra Dharmasthala Gramabivruddi project and got promoted due to his shrewdness, style of service and commitment to work. Within seven months of joining the organization, he was promoted as a supervisor. He completed his B A privately.

Yakshanaga interest re-kindled in Chethan when he got transferred back to Kundapur as an agricultural officer. He joined Bhagavathike training classes at Yashaswi Kalavrinda at Thekkatte Kome that is run by Venkatesh Vaidya. He was trained by K P Heggade and Lambodhara Heggade. He also learnt the art of dancing at the same time.

Chethan is very fond of Kanada, Bilahari, Madhyamavati, Arabhi, Deshi, Shahan, Devagandhari and Thodi raagas. He has served in Ajri Mela, Kamalashile Mela and Nilavara Melas as an amateur musician. He has also given programmes as a Bhagavatha in programmes of various organizations.

He also supported Sri Mahalingeshwara Bhajana Mandali of Bellala and strengthened it. He bagged third place in Karnataka in the Yanthrashree programme which was held at Davanagere in the month of March this year.

Along with art, Chethan is very much interested in agriculture also. He successfully managed the Malekoilu programme last year. He has created awareness among villagers about the need to conserve rain water. He is also educating the agriculturists in adopting to the new methods in agriculture, protection of plants, maintaining of water, developing market for agriculture and season-based farming.