Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai
Dubai, July 2: Yakshagana Abhyasa Kendra UAE, the first and only exclusive Yakshagana training centre in the UAE, celebrated its 10th anniversary in grand style with Dubai Yakshotsava 2025 at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Dubai.
Organised in association with Yaksha Dhruva Patla Foundation UAE, the event featured a vibrant line-up of performances including Poorvaranga, devotional singing (Gayana Sourabha), and the mythological Yakshagana play Shivani Simhavahini, showcasing the rich heritage and artistic depth of the coastal theatre form.
The celebrations began with Chauki Pooja led by Puthige Vasudeva Bhat and a team of priests. Director of the Kendra Dinesh Shetty Kottinja, chief guru Shekhar D Shettigar, and acclaimed Bhagavathas like Patla Satish Shetty, Deviprasad Alva, and Kavyashree Ajeru were present alongside other artists who invoked divine blessings before the day’s
proceedings.
Programme highlights
- Poorvaranga by junior and senior students.
- Gayana Sourabha led by Patla Satish Shetty, Deviprasad Alva, Kavyashree Ajeru, and senior artiste Subraya Holla from Kasaragod, supported by Chandrashekar Sarapady (India) and Savinaya Nellithirtha (UAE).
- A vibrant ceremonial procession featuring Chende, Panchavadyam, Mangalore band, Yakshagana-costumed artists, Kunitha Bhajane and Sumangalis carrying Kumbha Kalasha accompanied the symbolic offering of a silver crown (Belliya Kirita), conch (Shankha) and discus (Chakra) by Kateel Sri Devi Bhajana Vrinda and Yakshagana Abhyasa Kendra.
Felicitation ceremony
Ten prominent personalities from the UAE were honoured for their contributions:
- Sarvottama Shetty – organiser
- Praveen Kumar Shetty – art patron
- Balakrishna Saliyan – social service
- B K Ganesh Rai – art and media
- Dony Correa – theatre
- Roopa Kiran – Bharatanatyam
- Kannada Paathashale – NRI Kannada learning
- Sri Rajarajeshwari Bhajana Team UAE – devotional service
- Satyanarayana Pooja Committee UAE – cultural service
Additional honours went to key artists and supporters:
- Kavyashree Ajeru – female Bhagavatha
- Deviprasad Alva – Bhagavatha
- Arun Kotian – lead performer
- Chandrashekar Sarapady – Chende-Maddale
- Chetan Shetty – compere
- Shekhar D Shettigar – director and guru
- Sharath Kudla – Natya Guru
Prestigious recognition
The Yaksha Shree Raksha Honorary Award – 2025 was conferred upon veteran Yakshagana artiste Subraya Holla of Kateel for his four decades of dedicated service to the art.
Long-serving volunteers and supporters including Bhavani Shankar Sharma, Jeevan M Crasta, Bhaskar Poojary, Anand Saliyan and Swathi Sharath were also felicitated.
Sponsors and well-wishers such as Nagaraj Rao (Bhima Jewellers), Praveen Amarnath (TAC Construction), Ramanand Shetty (365 Group), Atmananda Rai (Al Fardan Exchange), and V2 Group members were present and honoured.
Special features
A children’s art competition showcased creative works in pencil, watercolour, and oil painting, judged by B K Ganesh Rai, Mamatha Ravi Kotian, and Rajneesh Amin.
More than 150 volunteers from teams like Yaksha Yodhas, Kateel Cricketers, and Biruver Kudla coordinated arrangements for food and hospitality throughout the day.
The main attraction, Shivani Simhavahini, began at 2 pm, with a cast of 72 artistes, 108 costumes, seven background musicians and three support staff. The performance by junior and senior students enthralled a packed audience.
Anchored impressively by Chetan Shetty from Mangaluru, the event was a resounding success. Director Dinesh Shetty Kottinja and chief guru Shekhar D Shettigar extended heartfelt gratitude to artistes, patrons, audience members and media partners for their continued support.