Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jan 13: Senior Talamaddale narrators have alleged that a column published in a news publication carried remarks that mock the seniority, knowledge, and experience of the most senior Talamaddale narrators, renowned Yakshagana scholar and researcher Dr M Prabhakara Joshi. They said that referring to certain narrators as "item song dancers" under the pretext of reviewing the present state of Talamaddale has seriously undermined the dignity of this classical art form.

The narrators further expressed strong resentment that senior narrator Umakantha Bhat and arthadhari–vesha-dhari–organiser Ujire Ashok Bhat, who had earlier opposed Vishweshwar Bhat’s remarks in a dignified manner, were subsequently targeted through disparaging comments in a later column, resulting in alleged damage to their reputation.

Addressing a press conference held on January 13, at Yakshagana Kalaranga IYC Auditorium, Dr M Prabhakara Joshi stated that artists have always remained open to civilized and informed criticism. “However, personal vilification of artists under the guise of criticism is against journalistic ethics. It is painful when a great art form like Talamaddale is ridiculed without proper understanding,” he said.

In a joint statement, the narrators said there should not develop a social mindset that Talamaddale narrators must tolerate any kind of remark in the name of criticism. They alleged that journalist Vishweshwar Bhat had crossed the limits of journalistic propriety through such writings.

Placing their demands before the public, the arthadharis said Vishweshwar Bhat must issue a public apology in his news publication for baseless and defamatory statements against Talamaddale narrators. They demanded that the practice of ridiculing narrators in the name of humour be stopped immediately and that a clear assurance be given that such inappropriate writings would not be repeated. They also called upon him to voluntarily correct his conduct that has hurt the self-respect of the art form and its practitioners.

The narrators warned that if the demands are ignored and insulting writings continue, they would be compelled to initiate legal action, both collectively and individually against Vishweshwar Bhat and his news publication. Expressing hope for an amicable resolution, they said the issue should conclude in good faith and with mutual respect, reiterating their commitment to safeguarding the dignity of art and artists.

Those present at the press conference included professor M L Samaga, Sarpangala Eshwara Bhat, Umakantha Bhat, Bhaskara Rai Kukkuvalli, Hiranya Venkatesha Bhat, Sunnambala Vishweshwara Bhat, Ujire Ashok Bhat, Radhakrishna Kalchar, Jabbar Samo Sampaje, Permude Jayaprakash Shetty, Harish Balantimuguru, Vasudeva Rangabhat, Dr Pradeep Samaga, Sankadagundi Ganapathi Bhat, Ganesha Shetty Kannadikatte, Pavan Kirankere, Dinesh Shetty Kavalakatte, among others.