Mangaluru: Yakshagana, a traditional dusk-to-dawn musical theatre performance popular in Karnataka, has taken a beating because of the Omicron-centred night restrictions across the state.
Yakshaganas are a dusk-to-dawn musical plays. Its episodes are based on the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagwad Gita. The plays are performed mostly in Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts and in Kerala’s Kasaragod region.
Just as the Yakshagana melas began touring, the rising cases of the Omicron variant and the imposition of the 10-day night curfew has resulted in uncertainty not just among artistes, but those who organise the performances.
Many Yakshagana troupes quickly changed the performance timings, scheduling them between 3 pm and 9.30 pm. However, the timings have become a problem for the performers.
An artiste from the Kateel Yakshagana Mela said that starting the performance early was a challenge especially for those who have a job and are performers. They will have to apply for a half-day leave. Also, since it’s an open performance and not in a closed hall, wearing heavy make-up and costume before sunset is definitely a challenge taking into consideration the weather. The options are few, in case it is here to stay this season, art lovers may get used to it.
The sevas by the Sri Durgaparameshwari Dashavatara Yakshagana Mela of Mandarthi, in Udupi district, are booked till 2043-44. The president of the Mandarthi Shree Durgaparameshwari temple, Dhananjaya Shetty, said, “There is uncertainty. Those who have got a slot are not happy with the new timings. Hopefully, this is a temporary change. We are hardly left with any option because it is difficult to get a fresh slot. Also, there are devotees who are opting for sevas held during the rainy season at the temple premise,” he said.
The temple has five melas and conducts an average of 950 shows per year. The harake seva expense is around Rs 50,000. Each troupe has around 47 members.
A troupe member from Udupi told TOI, the second wave has left a deep scar on the income of most people, especially those in the hospitality sector. Those who organise the Yakshagana harake sevas every year are continuing to do so, but among those who got an opportunity to offer the harake seva this year, there are few who have requested, if it could be postponed to a later date due to financial crisis.
Yakshaganas are a dusk-to-dawn musical plays. Its episodes are based on the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagwad Gita. The plays are performed mostly in Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts and in Kerala’s Kasaragod region.
Just as the Yakshagana melas began touring, the rising cases of the Omicron variant and the imposition of the 10-day night curfew has resulted in uncertainty not just among artistes, but those who organise the performances.
Many Yakshagana troupes quickly changed the performance timings, scheduling them between 3 pm and 9.30 pm. However, the timings have become a problem for the performers.
An artiste from the Kateel Yakshagana Mela said that starting the performance early was a challenge especially for those who have a job and are performers. They will have to apply for a half-day leave. Also, since it’s an open performance and not in a closed hall, wearing heavy make-up and costume before sunset is definitely a challenge taking into consideration the weather. The options are few, in case it is here to stay this season, art lovers may get used to it.
The sevas by the Sri Durgaparameshwari Dashavatara Yakshagana Mela of Mandarthi, in Udupi district, are booked till 2043-44. The president of the Mandarthi Shree Durgaparameshwari temple, Dhananjaya Shetty, said, “There is uncertainty. Those who have got a slot are not happy with the new timings. Hopefully, this is a temporary change. We are hardly left with any option because it is difficult to get a fresh slot. Also, there are devotees who are opting for sevas held during the rainy season at the temple premise,” he said.
The temple has five melas and conducts an average of 950 shows per year. The harake seva expense is around Rs 50,000. Each troupe has around 47 members.
A troupe member from Udupi told TOI, the second wave has left a deep scar on the income of most people, especially those in the hospitality sector. Those who organise the Yakshagana harake sevas every year are continuing to do so, but among those who got an opportunity to offer the harake seva this year, there are few who have requested, if it could be postponed to a later date due to financial crisis.
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