Talamaddale is a specialised variety of Yakshagana. It is known for its intellectual, interactive nature and at present there are a good number of artists and amateur artists troupes to give public performances/to organise such public shows. Yakshalahari is one such troupe.

The Beginning: Kinnigoli is a rural area of Mangalore Taluk of Dakshina Kannada District. in 1990 a handful of like minded people, who were teachers and professionals working in the financial institutions had some discussions and gave birth to an association called ‘Yakshalahari’. Mr E Srinivasa Bhat became its president and Mr Sridhar D S, its secretary. Authorities of ‘Yugapurusha’ of Kinnigoli, a publishing and cultural complex, were kind enough to offer the venue and auditorium free of cost along with other facilities and accordingly ‘Yugapurusha’ became Yakshalahari’s main center for various activities.

Special Talamaddale Events: Since from the inception, every year Yakshalahari is organising Talamaddale events during its annual day functions and functions during special occasions. Almost all famous Yakshagana artists have been invited by Yakshalahari and it wishes to place on record the support and involvement of such great artists in its functions.

Yakshalahari Performance: Yakshalahari members themselves are artists, besides organisers. Theirs is a ready troupe of amateur artists presenting performances whenever and wherever they are called upon to do so. Over a period of past 10 years, the troupe has presented more than 300 Talamaddale shows in various parts of the district besides presenting Yakshavani programmes.

Talamaddale Competition and Sapthahas: Yakshalahari thought of organising ‘Tenkutittina Havyasi Kalavidara Yakshagana Talamaddale Competition’, the first of its kind, and accordingly to it was organised in three consecutive years – 1995, 1996 & 1997. This has enabled to create quite a larger audience in a systematic way. More than 150 young artists took this opportunity very effectively.

In 1998 and 1999, Yakshalahari organised week-long Talamaddale programmes called ‘Saptahas’ inviting young artists. These, strictly time scheduled Talmaddale programmes and the earlier competition were highly appreciated by the audience and critics and it has caused the creation of new Yakshagana awareness among the art-loving people of Kinnigoli and outside.

Honours: During its annual day celebrations, Yakshalahari has been honouring Yakshagana artists of Kinnigoli area for their life-long achievements. Mr Sripathi Bhat, Prop. Dhanalakshmi Cashew Industries, Moodibidri has been kind enough to sponsor these honours. Yakshalahari’s services have been recognised by various institutions; it was honoured by D K Kannada Sahitya Parishath. Yakshalahari’s president Mr E Sreenivasa Bhat was also honoured a various Yakshagana occasions. Mr Simanthoor Subba Rao has contributed a fund to Yakshalahari to sponsor student scholarship to the needy children of Yakshagana artists.

Co-operation, Involvement: Blessings of Goddess Durga Parameshwari of Sri Kshethra Kateel Srimad Gururaghavendra Sannidi, Kinnigoli insprired Yakshalari a lot. Local units of international organisations like The Lions Club and Rotary Club, various Banks and Financial Institutions, Yakshalahari’s well wishers in and outside Kinnigoli have been contributing generously to Yakshalahari’s activities. The Kannada Sahitya Parishath, the directorate of Kannada and Culture – Ministry of Kannada and Culture, Govt of Karnataka are also involved in Yakshalahari’s activites. Various schools, temples, associations and public institutions have been sponsoring/organising, Yakshalahari’s Talamaddale performance.

In 1999, Yakshalahari started its ‘Himmela Kendra’ and the noted artists and teacher Mr Mambadi Subramanya Bhat is teaching ‘Himmela’ to the students.

Yakshalahari’s Decennial Celebrations: A ten days Talamaddale competition in three rounds to 12 selected teams of ‘Tenkutittina Havyasi Yakshagana Kalavidaru’ will be special attraction of Yakshalahari’s Decennial celebrations and these competitions will be held at Yugapurusha, Kinnigoli from 02-08-3000 to 11-08-2000. The main function will be held on 12-08-2000. Releasing a souvenir – ‘Yakshadasa’ honouring five artists, presenting ‘Yakshashree’ and ‘Kalaposhaka’ awards, awarding student scholarships, giving away the prizes to winners of the Talamaddale competitions and then a night-long Talamaddale by famous artist will be the highlights of the main function on 12-08-2000 to mark the occasion of decennial celebrations.

The Vision: Yakshalahari is striving to reach newer heights. It is convinced with the fact that still there are brighter days for the Talamaddale form of the art of Yakshagana. It has been accepted by the public as a standard cultural organisation of region and it solicits the co-operation and involvement of art-lovers and artists alike to continue its activities.

Besides its president Mr E Sreenivasa Bhat and secretary Sreedhar D S, other members Dr Radhakrishna Bhat, Perla, Mr Narayan M Hegde, Mr Lakshmish N Shastri, Mr Vasantha Devadiga, Mr S Pashupathi Shastri and Mr U Gopal Shetty have been working for the success of Yakshalahari, with Vidhwan Venkatesh Upadhyaya as an important advisor.

Dr Radhakrishna Bhat, Perla
Department of Economics
Pompei College
Aikala D K

error: Content is protected !!
Share This