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| Yakshagana In Hindi |
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10/04/2012
by
Yaksha Manjusha Team from Mangalore, Karnataka, India in Hindi
Episode: Shoorpanakha (from Ramayan)
India's cultural variety and mixture is best illustrated in its traditional theatrical forms. Thenku Thittu Yakshagana (Yakshagana of southern style) is a semi classical, popular, traditional, operatic art form prevalent in the coastal Corporation. This rich art form has a history of more than 700 years. Over these years it has inter oven into a very fine blend of lyrics, dance, music, drums, story, colorful costumes, extempore dialogues with stage presentation and action - all complicated and complex theatrical presentation; yet has an aesthetically rich style. As an open air theatre it has always been dear to people from all walks of life. The Prasangas (Episodes) are normally selected from mythology. Nevertheless Yakshagana form was effectively used on social issues like untouchability, adult education, AIDS etc.
The art “Yakshagana “ literally means the song of the benevolent fairies/ the celestial beings. But today’s yakshagana is much more than that. It is not just a song, but a theatre full of music, dialogue, dance, vibrant make up, elaborate costumes and props, bringing to life the epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata and the various puranas and make it relevant to today’s world. The traditional Yakashagaana is performed in the courtyards and the open fields with their episodes or prasangas that run all night long. There are hundreds of such troops in Karnataka today performing in the villages 220 times a year. The troupe that is here today “ Yaksha manjusha meaning the treasure chest of yakshagana with a focus on preserving and presenting this art form throughout the world is on their maiden tour of the United states.
The story begins with Lord Rama, his consort Sita and his brother Lakshmana, in the forest of Dandakarayna in exile. In their humble abode of Panchavati. Enters the vamp, Shurpanakhi, the sister of the demon king Ravana. Attracted by the smell of humans, she spots Rama and instantly falls in love with his majestic figure, She then transforms herself into a beautiful maiden in an attempt to charm Lord Rama begging him to marry her. The virtuous Rama tells Shurpanakhi to approach his brother lakshmana instead. But he secretly writes a message to his brother on shurpanakhis back. Instructing him to deface her by cutting off her nose. Unaware of the message she is carrying on her back, she then approaches Lakshmana and seeks his hand in marriage and asks him to deliver the promise from his brother she is carrying on her back. The bemused Lakshmana then follows the instructions from his brother and defaces shurpanakhi with cutting off her nose.
The angry shurpanaki decides to take revenge.
We are very lucky to have this first ever Hindi Yakshagana show in USA. There are many more "FIRST"s!
* First full fledged Yakshagana troupe (with full himmela and mummela) to tour USA (a 10-member team)
* First troupe to give Hindi Yakshagana all over India (more than 300 shows to their credit)
* First troupe to be led by a woman (she is a lead performer too)
* First Yakshagana troupe to be recognized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
Duration: 80 Minutes.
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