Yakshagana
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Night-long dance-drama of coastal and Malnad Karnataka that tells stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas with song, dance, dialogue and grand costumes.
Folk theatreWhere: Coastal Karnataka (Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada) and the Malnad regionOccasion: Mainly from about November to May, at temple festivals and on open-air stages through the night; also staged in halls
| Performed by | Troupes (melas), traditionally all men who play both male and female roles; women now also perform |
|---|---|
| Costume | Tall decorated headgear (kirita), heavy wooden ornaments, padded costumes, bright face paint and ankle bells; demons and heroes have distinct make-up |
| Music and instruments | The Bhagavata (singer-narrator) leads with cymbals, supported by the chende and maddale drums and a harmonium or shruti drone |
How it is performed
- The evening opens with prayers to Ganesha and a preliminary dance by young actors.
- The Bhagavata sings the story in verse, setting the pace for the whole performance.
- Actors dance in vigorous steps and spins to the drumming, then stop to speak improvised dialogue in Kannada or Tulu.
- Battles, royal courts and comic scenes follow one another until dawn.
- Talamaddale, a seated form, keeps only the song and spoken debate without costume or dance.
Significance
Yakshagana carries epic stories and Kannada poetry to village audiences. The two main styles are Tenkutittu (southern) and Badagutittu (northern), and troupes attached to temples have performed for generations.