Yakshagana as 'earn while learn' hobby

Mangalore, February 11: There is a new trend among college students of earning pocket money by donning the roles in Yakshagana melas (troupes). A self-evolved, new variant of 'earn while you learn' hobby.

Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy president M.L. Samaga said this at the inauguration of a two-day Yakshagana competition for college students here on Friday.

Mr. Samaga said some students who knew Yakshagana had begun acting as guest artistes in some professional melas.

Later, Mr. Samaga told The Hindu that he acted as a guest artiste whenever melas invited him. He recently came across three college students who acted as guest artistes “for pocket money.”

Mr. Samaga said melas faced shortage of artistes. Hence managers of some melas had began inviting college students well versed in Yakshagana. Such students after completing their studies had the option of acting as a full-time artiste or continue as a guest artiste.

At the inaugural session, Mr. Samaga said Yakshagana revolved around mythology. “Richness of life is found in richness of mythology. Understanding mythology is very important.”Mr. Samaga, former principal of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College, Udupi, said Yakshagana taught patience. Its mythological stories spread values of life.

Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara College for Law and Centre for Postgraduate Studies and Research had organised the competition.

A student team from SDM College of Business Management, Mangalore, staged “Narakasura Moksha” as the first prasanga of the competition. The team had two women students.

Vasundhara, a final year BBM student, who played a character said she hailed from a family of Yakshagana. She had been acting since she was in class six.

She said some of her classmates from other States were also curious about Yakshagana. Some students at the college were seen capturing the “veshas” donned by students on their mobile phones.

Six more prasangas were staged on Friday. They were Guru Dakshine by Government Degree College, Punjalkatte; Vidyunmathi Kalyana by Nehru Memorial College, Sullia; Sudhanwarjuna by Bhuvanendra College, Karkala; Shashiprabha Parinaya by SDM College, Ujire; Sayujya Sangrama by Alva's College, Moodbidri; and Guru Dakshine by Gokarnanatheswara College, Mangalore.

Six more prasangas are scheduled on Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to 7.45 p.m. The college has organised the annual competition for the consecutive 20th year.