Rons Bantwal
Moodbidri, Sep 16: In a major nod to rural traditional performing arts, the Karnataka State Yakshagana Academy has announced its coveted ‘Yaksha Siri’ award for 2026 to veteran artist Suresh Poojari Balli (Kuppepadavu). This follows the 2024 honour clinched by fellow Kuppepadavu native Umesh Saliyan. Intriguingly, both stalwarts are celebrated household names for their powerhouse portrayals of the demon king ‘Mahishasura’ in the legendary Kateel Yakshagana Mela.
Born to Chennappa Poojary and Sharada in Balli, Kilenjaru village, Suresh nurtured a lifelong passion for Yakshagana early on. He made his professional debut in 1984 under the banner of Durgeshwari Yakshagana Mandali, Kuppepadavu. Following a stint in the Irebailu Mela, a pivotal recommendation by Manohar Shetty Nadikamblaguthu and the backing of the late Kalladi Vittala Shetty paved his way into the prestigious Kateel Mela in 1989.
Though initially confined to comic/youth roles (Punda Vesha), he soon commanded centre stage, breathing vibrant life into formidable characters such as Shurpanakha, Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Tarakasura. He honed his rigorous dancing prowess under gurus Deranna Bajpe and Manjunath Bhat.
37 years of unwavering stage dedication
Suresh has chalked up an incredible 37 years of uninterrupted service in the Kateel Mela. Having first stepped into the formidable Mahishasura costume in 1994, he cemented his legacy as the troupe’s permanent Mahishasura for their grand production, Sri Devi Mahatme. Famed for his razor-sharp acting, formidable dialogue delivery, and commanding physical presence (gatthu), his iteration of the demon king remains an absolute favourite among passionate connoisseurs.
Having previously bagged honours from prominent cultural bodies like Udupi Kalaranga, Banna Malinga Prathishtana Kumbala, and Excel Academy, this state recognition serves as a crowning glory for his profound mastery of the art form.
"I have received many accolades, but being formally recognised by the Yakshagana Academy brings a very special joy," reflected Suresh Poojari Balli. "I owe everything to the Asranna family of Kateel, the management, and my co-artists who catalysed my journey. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Academy President, members, and particularly Academy Member Vinay Kumar Shetty Gurupura."
Honouring the unsung pillars of grassroots culture
Weighing in on the selection process, academy member Vinay Kumar Shetty Manibettuguthu (Gurupura) asserted:
"Awards must remain utterly insulated from external lobbying. Their true currency multiplies only when genuine merit is honoured. Recommendations by members should spotlight sheer artistic sweat, not social standing. Over the past three and a half years, the Academy has deliberately prioritised veteran talents from deep within rural pockets. Serving as a member, this cultural shift fills me with immense pride."
Shedding light on the unheralded seeds of folk art
When governance within cultural academies features authentic rural representation, unearthing lifelong, unsung torchbearers who toil away like hidden seeds (elemare kayi) becomes infinitely more effective.
The Karnataka State Academy’s recent trajectory brilliantly underscores this ethos. Focusing strictly on the Gurupura Hobli region, the honour roll reveals a steady stream of grassroots legends brought into the limelight:
• Surendra Malli Gurupura (Benkinatheshwara Mela organiser & veteran female impersonator) and Umesh Salyan Kuppepadavu (Kateel Mela Mahishasura) in 2024.
• Manjunath Bhat Bellare (Kateel Mela artist) in 2025.
• Suresh Poojari Balli (Kateel Mela Mahishasura) in 2026.
• Additionally, senior veterans Babu Kulal (Kateel Mela) and Keshav Shaktinagar (Talakala Sri Vishwanatha Mahaganapathi Mela, Mangaluru) were decorated in late 2023.
The lifeblood of Yakshagana’s preservation unquestionably flows from the rural hinterlands of Mangaluru. This ongoing trend reaffirms a golden rule: an institution's prestige truly soars only when its highest laurels land on the calloused, deserving hands of unyielding traditional masters.