Mangaluru: Vedhantha Vidhwan Kamaladevi Prasad Aasranna inaugurated ‘Yakotsava Rajat Sambhrama – 2016’ by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries at Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) Law College here, on February 22.
Yakotsava an intercollegiate Yakshagana competition held by SDM College, celebrates 25 years of existence.
Convener of Yakotsava Sainath Malligemaadu introduced the dignitaries and welcomed the gathering. In his inaugural speech, Aasranna said, “Yakshagana is a great art, which gave us the Kannada language. Yakshagana has given a lot of benefits to the society and in the future too it shall prove beneficial to all. To preserve this art, both the artistes and viewers should be knowledgeable.” He congratulated SDM College for actively working towards preserving the art for the past 25 years and prayed that the institution has the resources to run the programme for an additional 25 years.
Prof Arala Rajendra Shetty said, “Yakshagana has given us a lot of legends and most of the artistes had the names of their native place attached to their names making the area well known. Yakshagana is losing its luster as we live in a society that supports violence more than art. But Yakotsava, which was established by the contribution of many likeminded persons, is doing its best to preserve the ancient art of Yakshagana.”
President of Belapu Gram Panchayat, Belapu Deviprasad Shetty said, “Yakshagana helps in depicting the factual historical picture to people and can showcase an epic with ease. It is our duty to encourage Yakshagana. The government has already proposed setting up a Yakshagana Academy.”
Dr Prabhakar Joshi in his Presidential speech said, “Yakshagana is an elevator and media, the beauty of which we are not capable of understanding. I congratulate all the participants of Yakotsava and I am sure that the judgment will be subjected to criticism as art cannot be valued by any one. Art should never be held as a competition but should be used only as a performance.”
He said that there was a need to re-define, re-design, re-shape and represent the art of Yakshagana and in doing so; technology was welcome, but with care that over usage or over reliance on technology should not hinder the beauty of the art.
Kumble Sundar Rao also spoke on the occasion. Naresh Malligemaadu delivered the vote of thanks and Rakshitha compered the programme.