Culture

YAKSHAGANA

Well how many of us know about our Indian ancient culture and heritage??? Do you about YAKSHAGANA??? How many of you have heard about this colourful dance form??? 

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The word Yakshgana means the songs of the Demi-Gods. The performers wear interesting and colourful because of their costumes and makeup.

Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. This theatre style is mainly found in Tulunadu and some parts of Malenadu region of Karnataka and Kerala, India. Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn.

A performance usually depicts a story from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.
They normally begin their performance at 6 pm and end at around 1 am. As they perform in the dark, they carry with them gas lights which provide brightness almost as good as daylight.

Instruments

Maddale:
The maddale is a percussion instrument and, along with the chande, is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in the Yakshagana ensemble.

Taala (Bells):
Yakshagana bells or cymbals, are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy (traditionally five metal). They are made to fit the tone of the bhagawatha's voice. Singers carry more than one set, as finger bells are available in different keys, thus enabling them to sing in different pitches. They help create and guide the background music in Yakshagana.

Chande:
The Chande is a drum and, along with the maddale, is an important rhythmic accompaniment in the Yakshagana ensemble.



Yakshagana types:

Moodalopaya Yakshagana:
Includes eastern areas of Karnataka (such as Channarayapattna and Arsikere Taluks of the Hassan District), Nagamangala Taluk of the Mandya District, Turuvekere Taluk of the Tumkur District, Hiriyuru, Challakere of Chitradurga District and North Karnataka.

Paduvlopaya Yakshagana:
Comprises the western parts of extended Karnataka (including Kasaragod Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada).

Tenkutittu:
Includes areas Kasaragod (Kerala), Mangalore District, Udupi, Sampaaje, Sulliya, Puttur, Bantwala, Belthangady, Karkala, etc..Yakshagana is influenced more by folk art blended with classical dance aspects.The dance form in tenkutittu strikes the attention of the audience by 'Dheengina' or 'Guttu'. Performers often do dheeginas (jumping spins in the air) and will continuously spin (sometimes) hundreds of times. Tenkutittu is noted for its incredible dance steps; its high flying dance moves; and its extravagant rakshasas (demons).

Badagutittu:
Udupi to Kundapura area, Uttara Kannada district.The Badagutittu school of Yakshagana places more emphasis on facial expressions, dailogues, and dances appropriate for the character. 


Badabadagutittu/Uttara Kannadatittu:
extreme north parts of Uttara Kannada.

Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJQ8iPlQUuQ