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Yakshagana is a complete traditional theatre art which includes both – aesthetic and intellectual – elements, classical and folk elements, rich with therapeutic value, said Yakshagana scholar-artist Prof M L Samaga, who was also the President of State Yakshagana Academy a few years back.

Holding a special session on Yakshagana under the auspices of Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences(GCPAS), MAHE here on Friday, Prof M L Samaga said Yakshagana, which possibly originated as a ‘singing style’ a few hundred years ago, developed as singing compositions. In its present form, possibly it is about 200 years old. “Now it is a complete theatre form which includes song, dance, narrative, dialogues, costume, acting etc,” he observed.

Yakshagana is undoubtedly rich with its aesthetics of song, dance and costumes, taking us to a different world. Even though its themes are majorly mythological, it is also intellectual, discursive and philosophical with much liberty in dialogues and discussions. While they generally stick to traditional conclusions, between the beginning and conclusion, there is much creativity, he felt.

Citing examples from many performances from Ramayana and Mahabharata, Prof Samaga showed how discussion could be intellectual and philosophical. Yakshagana, which started off as a temple art, has elevated itself to more artistic plain with artists from all communities and women taking part in it. He explained the traditional structure of Yakshagana, experiments in it (such as that of Dr Shivaram Karanth), the northern and the southern styles, its recent trends in entertainment and education.

“Because of its aesthetic completeness, religious connection yet liberal stances, classical, folk, intellectual and philosophical elements, entertainment, educative and therapeutic value, Yakshagana is becoming more and more popular,” Prof Samaga observed. The GCPAS Head Prof Varadesh Hiregange, Dr Bhramari Shivaprakash, Dr Janardhan Havanje, Prof Nemiraj Shetty, Sri Govinda Prabhu and others participated in the discussion. Ms Shruthi and Ms Kausthubha coordinated the programme.