In coastal Karnataka there is tradition called ” harake” ( ex-voto, fulfillment of a vow ) aata ( ಹರಕೆ ) to conduct a Yakshagana theatre play . There are some temples which continually host Yakshagana performance every night as ex-voto which are called harake aata . Most of them run full night and always jam-packed . There is also a possibility one artist who organize these performance to seek the blessings of the god/goddess . Artists are paid a very nominal fee and most of them come , gather and perform due to the friendship with the organizer or performer himself. One of the most famous temple is Gundbala in Honnavar taluq which hosts such shows in summer time starting from November till May ..
Last May I got a chance to see one of this Yakshagana performance where I met the wonderful Yakshagana artist She Shridhar Kasaragod who is popular for his cameo roles. I had nice conversation with him before his performance. He asks ” who has time to watch a Yakshagana play throughout the night ? In cities many has to go to their offices next day and small towns too are experiencing . People are spending more time in their work which is quite normal now . Accordingly Yakshagana also has changed. Change is the only mantra for the survival of this art.”
It was an amazing performance and I laughed my belly out. I never expected this guy can be so fun on the stage. He cleverly used the present facts to this historical story and delivered his dialogs . They were so much fun that I can see the crowd falling in hysteria . I never thought Yakshagana can be so fun sometimes. I vowed to myself that I would never miss Shridhar’s Yakshaganas again!
Here are some pictures from the event.
