Yakhsagana Mandli’s Centenary tradition breaks amid reforming taste of masses

By NewsGram Staff Writer

More than 100 years old in the performing arts, Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Krupaposhitha Yakhsagana Mandli is undergoing customary amendment. The professional Yakshagana touring troupe will stop its all night performance from the current touring season.

The ancient folk theatre form which traditionally combines dance, music, dialogues and costumes with a unique style is widely popular in coastal districts of Karnataka. The major reason behind the action is the declining interest and mass numbers in the show.

The melas are also facing dearth of open space for the field shows. With several other forms of entertainment on offer, audiences generally don't watch the show after midnight. The troupe being there for more than a century will now perform the shows till midnight starting from 7 p.m. in the evening.

With this modification, the duration of the most popular mela in the region has been cut down. It was earlier performed till 6 a.m. in the morning. It usually started at 9.30 p.m. but with the changing times and interest of the public, the change is enforced after consulting all the stakeholders.

The authorities after three years of deliberate thinking came to the decision of cutting short the performance to five hours. They believe that the new form will enhance the quality of the act.