UAE: Yakshamitraru Dubai, a dedicated organization which promotes ‘Yakshagana’ – the rich and unique folk-art of Tulunadu – around UAE organized their maiden workshop on “Make up and costume” recently at Woodshine Carpentry, Dubai to enhance self confidence and self dependence in make-up for budding Yakshagana artistes and Yakshagana lovers.
Costumes and make-up of Yakshagana form an essential part of the folk theatre of Karnataka. A Yakshagana artiste is himself an expert in make-up and costume. He can use these elements expertly so as to bring out the innate character of the role he is portraying. The leading role of the performance is called Bannada Vesha or literally, the character in colour. The name is a worthy compliment to the imposing make-up and gorgeous costumes of the role. The artiste playing the Bannada Vesha spends in the normal course, four to five busy hours in make up and getting into his imposing garb. Make-up is a specialised art with Yakshagana and is the mainstay in recreating the atmosphere in which the artiste revels. It is the imposing make-up and costumes that recreate the play on the stage and drives the audience into a dreamland. The diffused dim light of the oil lamp called Panju or Deevatige and the great distance between the last spectator and the artiste were obviously considerations that conditioned the art of make-up in Yakshagana in olden days.
Facial make up, made of vegetable dyes, ranges from simple to intricate designs depending upon the character’s role. The motif on the face varies for heroes, demons and female characters. The faces of kings and princes are painted rosy pink, Yama’s face is black, Lord Krishna and Vishnu are painted blue. Demonical make-up is heavy, with artificial eyelids and white dots liberally applied to portray the ferocious and violent nature of the demons.
Chidanand Poojari Vamanjoor and Dinesh Shetty Kottinja jointly inaugurated the day long workshop. Jayaram Manjathaya, president of Paarthisubba Yakshagana Academy, Kerala State and Co-ordinator of Edaneer Mela was the chief guest of the workshop. He appreciated the activity and dedication of Yakshamitraru from the last 12 years which promotes ‘Yakshagana’ in the gulf region.
Dinesh Shetty Kottinja and Lakshmeesha Sharma felicitated Jayaram Manjathaya on behalf of Yakshamitraru Dubai.
More than thirty candidates, including children and ladies in majority, participated actively in the workshop and shared their experiences.
The chief guest handed over the certificates to all the participants. The director of the workshop, Shekhar D Shettigar Kinnigoli was felicitated by Jayaram Edaneer.
Gireesh Narayan Katipalla and Balakrishna D Shettigar Kinnigoli shared their experiences. Sumanth Hegde, Swathi Sharath, Dinesh Bejai, Chandramohan and Vikram Shetty Kadandale assisted in the success of the workshop.
Yakshamitraru Dubai would like to express our gratitude towards Mangalorean.com for their excellent coverage of our successful makeup and costume workshop. We look forward to expecting the same corporation and support in all Yakshamitraru future events as well.