Yakshagana is a traditional folk art form that hails from the southern Indian state of Karnataka. With its vibrant costumes, intricate makeup, music filled with the soulful voices of the singers and the energetic beats of the drums, Yakshagana is a captivating blend of all these aspects that has been entertaining and enchanting audiences for centuries. The performances typically revolve around stories from Indian mythology and history, brought to life by skilled performers who don colorful attire and elaborate headgear, thus creating a visually stunning and culturally rich experience that continues to be an integral part of the region's cultural heritage.
Smt. Sowgandhika Krishnan introduced the artists in a wonderful way to start the program which was held in Zurich, 17th September on a Sunday late afternoon. The drama was performed by renowned artists from the famous Yakshadhruva Patla foundation in Mangalore, a charitable organization that devotes itself to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the art form.
The stage came alive with the introduction by local artists, including Tripti Abhijata, who set the scene for the evening's theatrical masterpiece, "Mahishasura Mardhini”, a legendary tale of the triumph of goddess Durga over the indomitable demon king Mahishasura.
Mahishasura, blessed with invincibility and a boon that he would die only at the hands of a woman, whom he thought to be feeble and powerless. His tyranny and conquest to sit on the throne of Indra left even the gods powerless in his wake. Thus, the divine trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combined their powers to create Durga; a formidable goddess with multiple limbs, each wielding a potent weapon. The battle between Durga and Mahishasura unfolded over a period of nine intense days, symbolizing the festival we know as Navaratri. Ultimately, Durga emerged victorious by vanquishing Mahishasura in his buffalo form.
The performance featured a spectacular entrance by the demon Mahishasura, emerging dramatically from behind the audience, followed by the grand arrival of Goddess Durga. The sight of a majestic lion gracefully traversing the stage added to the excitement, culminating in a fierce and awe-inspiring battle between Mahishasura and Durga. Patla Sathish Shetty, with his resonant and unmatched voice, narrated the entire epic tirelessly. All the artists displayed exceptional grace, with special commendation reserved for the performer who portrayed Mahishasura's mother and captivated the audience with their exceptional dance skills.
The entire show was performed in Kannada, the language native to the region, adding authenticity to the performance. The Yakshadhruva team delivered a holistic theatrical experience, incorporating music, costumes, dance, and speech to delight both the eyes and the ears of the audience. In summary, the evening's presentation left an unforgettable and culturally enriching experience.
It said that music and art transcend language. The performance that left the audience spellbound for the rest of the evening proves this point yet again.
This article was written with the assistance of Srinath Vaidyanathan.
Photo credits: Banu Balaji, Srinath Vaidyanathan. Event organized by: Dipti Abhilasha