Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 25: It is very rare for a woman to step into the traditional Indian theatre art form, Yakshagana. However, breaking all the stereotypes, a girl belonging to a Muslim community has opted to choose Yakshagana to show off her skills in the art form.

Arshiya, who is famous under her stage name ‘Tanu Vitla’, hails from the town of Vittal in Bantwal taluk. She has been in the scene of Yakshagana for quite some time now and has performed various episodes and is considered to be a popular artiste. Currently, she is employed at Toyota showroom in Padil. Arshiya at a very young age was mesmerized by the role of Mahishasura in Shri Devi Mahatme Yakshagana Prasanga (episode) performed near her home town. Since then, she claims to have been fascinated by the art form, the role, chende sound and Pravesha. Arshiya states that these sources caused her inclination to learn the art form.

Arshiya recalls being inspired by a school teacher who taught her Yakshagana for school annual day celebration at Jaycees English Medium School, Vittal. At the age 10, Ashriya began performing Yakshagana in her native place of Vittal.

"Being a Muslim I never thought I would venture into Yakshagana. During my school days when other students performed, I would learn the art form by watching them perform," she says.

Arshiya is learning Yakshagana at Kadali Kala Kendra in Mangaluru under Ramesh Bhat who presented her the opportunity to perform and portray prominent roles.

She claims to have always loved the roles of Asuras (villain roles), especially the Pravesha. Arshiya has performed roles of Nishambhasura, Raktha Beejasura and Mahishasura in Shri Devi Mahatme Prasanga.

Her family has supported her, while some from the community did not. Facing all the adversities, she successfully made it to the Yakshagana arena and went on to perform several shows in Mangaluru, Karwar and Udupi.

"Since I have a loud voice, many people believed that the role of an Asura role will suit me. I also love the Pravesha (Entry) in Yakshagana. My next aim is to learn the chende instrument. I have performed in Yakshagana Prasanga like Srinivas Kalyana, Sudarshanopakyana, Kadamba Kaushike, Shambavi Vijaya, Raktabeejasura Vade and many more," she added.

"It was the most memorable moment when I was felicitated in front of Patla Sathish Shetty and when he blessed me," Arshiya said.