Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The beginning of the monsoon is no longer the end of Yakshagana performances in Karnataka’s coastal districts. With an abundance of venues opening up over the last decade, Yakshagana Theatre is thriving throughout the year.
About Yakshagana:
- Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka.
- It is performed with massive headgear, elaborate facial makeup, and vibrant costumes and ornaments.
- Usually recited in Kannada, it is also performed in Malayalam as well as Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka).
- It is performed with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).
Features
- It was performed by a special community known as Jakkula Varu in the royal courts of the Vijayanagar dynasty.
- The word Yakshagana is derived from the names Aata Bayalaata, Kelike, and Dashavatara.
- The dance form of Yakshagana has been divided into two groups by intellectuals and researchers.
- The first category is Moodalopaya, which encompasses the eastern sides of Karnataka.
- Paduvlopaya is the second category of Yakshagana, which includes the western parts of the state of Karnataka, as well as Udupi, Kasaragod, and Uttara Kannada.
