Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Media Release
Udupi, Jun 11: The Panambur Venkatraya Aital Cultural Foundation, which has been actively promoting Yakshagana and preserving coastal Karnataka’s cultural heritage, will mark its 8th annual celebration with a grand week-long Yakshagana Saptaha and Ashtavadhana programme.
The events will commence on Sunday, June 15, at 2.30 pm at Rajangana, Sri Krishna Math, Udupi, with the formal inaugural ceremony at 5.30 pm.
Dr Sunil Mundkur, addressing the media in the press meet held on June 11, said, “Panambur Venkatraya Aital was a towering figure in the coastal cultural landscape, an all-round Yakshagana expert, revered teacher, accomplished artist, and dedicated patron. Known for his unique mastery in Bhagavathike, Chende, Maddale, Vesha, and Arthadhari, he also held deep expertise in priesthood and astrology. In his memory, the Foundation began offering free Tenkuthittu Yakshagana training in 2017 with the blessings of Sri Sri Vishwavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Sode Math. The Foundation’s free training initiative, conducted under the guidance of Yaksha Guru Sri Rakesh Rai Adka, has successfully completed eight years. Currently, over 100 students are receiving Yakshagana training every Wednesday at Sode Math, Udupi. From this year, dedicated classes for Chende and Maddale will also be held every Saturday.”
The inaugural ceremony will be held in the divine presence of Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji and Sri Sri Sushreendra Theertha Swamiji, Paryaya Sri Puttige Math, Udupi, Sri Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamiji, Edneer Math
The inaugural event will also be attended by hereditary priest of Kateel Temple Lakshminarayana Asranna, senior Yakshagana scholar M Prabhakar Joshi, Ashtavadhani Dr Ramakrishna Pejattaya, president of Yakshagana Kalaranga Gangadhar Rao, convener Yakshanandana Panambur Santosh Aital, DGM Karnataka Bank Vasanth Herale.
Several veteran artists will be felicitated on the day including, senior Yakshagana artist K Govinda Bhat, former president Karnataka Yakshagana Academy professor M L Samaga, senior Bhagavatha Kuriya Ganapathi Shastri, senior Bhagavatha Polya Lakshminarayana Shetty, senior Himmela artist Padyana Shankaranarayana Bhat.
Following the inaugural ceremony, a Tamradhwaja Kalaga Yakshagana performance by senior artists will be staged. Thereafter, daily Yakshagana performances at 7pm will feature students of the Foundation under the direction of Rakesh Rai Adka. On June 16 Bharatanatyam by Kumari Siddhi Jayadeva Tantri (USA) followed by Karna Parva, Gada Parva on June 17, Manmathopakhyana on June 1, Bhargava Vijaya on June 19, Sudarshana Garva Bhanga on June 20.
The valedictory programme will be held on June 21 at 7.30 pm, in the presence of Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha and Sri Sri Sushreendra Theertha Swamijis. Along with will be present Vidhwan K Panja Bhaskara Bhatta, Dharmadarshi Hadigallu Theerthahalli Dr Hadigallu Lakshminarayana, former president Kannada Sahitya Parishat Dr Harikrishna Punarur, founder Kalkura Pratishthana Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, coordinator Idagunji Mela Keremane Shivananda Hegde, secretary Yakshagana Kalaranga Murali Kadekar, senior Arthadhari and Prasangkarta Polali Nityananda Karanth, costume expert and Yaksha Guru P V Paramesh, Yaksha Guru Rakesh Rai Adka,
The Foundation’s students will perform Girija Kalyana Yakshagana on the final evening.
Public participation is invited.
Foundation president Gopika Mayya, office bearers Satish Mayya, Rakesh Rai Adka, and core team members including Dr Suneel Mundkuru, Niranjan, Mohan Shetty, Ravinandan, Sneha Acharya, and Shashikanth Bhat, were present in the press conference.