- SPIC MACAY’s Yakshagana Series Kicks Off
Bhopal: The five-day Yakshagana performance series, accredited by UNESCO, began today, organized by the SPIC MACAY Bhopal Chapter. The first performance was held at the beautiful hexagonal stage of Jawahar Bal Bhavan, presented by the Seven Hills School. Before an audience of nearly 200 children, Guru Shivanand Hegde’s 15-member troupe dazzled young viewers with their dance, music, acting, captivating costumes, and stage makeup.
Titled Panchavati, today’s performance depicted various events from the Ramayana during Lord Ram’s exile, with the episode of Shurpanakha playing a significant role. Yakshagana, a traditional form of folk dance, is immensely popular in the coastal districts of Karnataka and parts of Kerala. It originated from the Vaishnavite bhakti movement and is a unique blend of dance, music, songs, scholarly dialogue, and vibrant costumes.
The term “Yakshagana” is derived from “Yaksha” (meaning deity or spirit) and “Gana” (meaning song), essentially translating to the “song of the gods” or the “narrative of the deities.” Historically, it was performed only by men, but nowadays both men and women participate. However, in Guru Shivanand Hegde’s troupe, all 15 performers are male, with male actors portraying female roles. This troupe, which has been around for nine decades, has received several prestigious awards, including the Raja Mansingh Award from the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
The second performance of the day took place at C.M. Rise Kamla Nehru Girls Higher Secondary School, where nearly 800 students attended the show. Tomorrow, the Yakshagana presentation will be held at Model School at 11 AM.
