by Gopika Mayya & Pics by Sujay Bendore

Dubai, Aug 21: 18th Aug 2006 is to be inscribed in golden letters in the history of Yakshagaana in Gulf. The staging of vibrant art from coastal Karnataka won the hearts of children and adults alike. The third adventure in a row by ‘yaksha mitraru’ on the soil of Dubai with the help of Narayana Shabaraaya, P.V. Paramesh and Dayanand Mejar, was a brave effort that matches with the performance of any professional team back home. Sri Lalithoakhyana, prasnaga, was chosen as they had already presented on Goddess Sridevi twice in the past. So in accordance with the tradition they went on stage a story on Devi for the third time.

Through out the enactment of yakshagaana, costumes and mukha varnike were the plus points. The transformation of Bhandaasura; from young to matured king, then into demon and later at the time of enlightenment in the deathbed, was a delight to watch. When ever Kishore Gatti with his energetic dancing and digna (spinning in the air) performed, we could sense there was a jugalbandhi between him and bhagavatha, while Ravi Uchchil donning a majestic raja vesha performed as a matured king Bhandasura, lot of traditional yakshagaana dancing was enacted.

After the mid show break, it was Mohini (Ravi Bhat) who mesmerised the audience and left everyone’s hormone flowing. When she danced for the song “ellelloo sobagide” and her vayyara must have made all the men sweating. This was the stage where there was a shift in the style from thenku thittu to badagu thittu. Exit mohini who was implanted by Vishnu to distract Bhandaasura, bahgavatha rolled back to thenku thittu. Haasya by Chidananda Poojary was apt and hilarious.

Without a single dull moment, the tight story line left audience very attentive and open. Giridhar Nayak as Shiva, K.V.Adiga as Vishnu along with Sudhakar thumbe, Sachidanand Keenya, Sadashiv Achar, Divakar Patkala, Vishnu Sharma, K.R. Rao did justice their roles. Brahma by Vitla Harish Kamath, Parvathi by Vishwanath Shetty did a reasonably good job despite being new entries into the team. Girish Shetty as Shukracharya though very imposing in his looks but was too inflexible. Nevertheless the major attraction of the whole yakshagaana was no doubt, Devi. Bhavani Sharma with his towering built, striking eyes and beautiful face, was cut out for this role.

Though the story flowed smoothly, there was a little confusion among audience towards the end, as many people did not know the story before hand. There was a parade of many gigantic characters like Vidyunmaali, Mahishaasura, Dashabhuja Ganapathi, Shumbha and Nishumbha etc which normally appear in other stories of Devi. According to the story they were all recreated by Bhandaasura to fight Devi.May be a leaflet about the story may avoid such confusions in future shows.

Bhagavatha Shabaraaya in short stay here has fine-tuned the artists with his tips and ideas, which were evident, and particularly mohini was taught to dance like a classical Mohini. P.V. Parmesh’s contribution did not go unnoticed. There were nearly thirty characters, and the man behind the make up and dressing them was none other than Parmesh. They ably supported in himmela by Mr. Venkatesh Shastry, Ramesh Bhat and Bhavani Shankar Sharma.

The whole team of Yakshamitraru toiled hard and sacrificed a lot for the success without wishing for name and the fame. They attribute their success to all their friends, well wishers, Narayana Shabaraaya and P.V. Paramesh. Perhaps this humility, humbleness has blessed them to return with unmatchable success.

Earlier the event which was delayed by an hour to abide by the local rule started off at 4.45 pm with Mr. Vittal Shetty’s welcome speech. He promptly paid homage to Yakshagaana Shiromani Sheni Gopala Krishna Bhat, critic Ramchandra Uchchil, and second death anniversary of our beloved Umesh Nanthoor. Then, C. R. Shetty, Sarvottam Shetty, Manohar Rao, Harish Sheregar, Shekhar Shetty, Chidananda Poojary, lighted traditional lamp of inaugaration.

Later on during the break bhagavatha Narayana Shabaraaya was honoured traditionally with phala pushpa shawl and memento and abhinandana patra. P.V. Parmesh who is visiting second time and was a big support in mukha varnike (make up), Dayananda Shettigar Mejar the guest chende vaadaka were honoured with shawl and memento. And Mr. M A Latif was honoured for being recipient Paryaya award.

The event ended with a due thanks to all the sponsors and indirect supporters. All the artists of himmela and mummela were called upon the stage and introduced to the audience, which was a commendable act since the artists have sweated out every weekend during practice sessions. Few of the artists stay as far as Ruwais and toiled for the success of this show for months together. It has been an example for teamwork. After the grand finale of the raffle draw, people must have left the auditorium with lots of expectations and hope that it is worthwhile to wait for another year to wittiness such a grand exhibition of talent.

:: ARTISTS in SRI LALITHOPAKYANA ::

Bhagawath : Sri Narayana Shabaraya

Chende, Maddale : Sri Dayanand Mejar, Sri P.V Paramesh, Sri Ramesh Bhat and Venkatesh Sastri.
Chakra Thala : Sri Nagesh Kotian
Shruthi : Sri Karunakar and Sri Jagganath

Sridevi: Sri Bhawani Shankar Sharma
Mohini: Sri Ravi Bhat
Sheecha: Sri Vasanth Shervegar
Parvati: Sri Vishawanth Shetty

Vidhushkha : Sri Chidanand Poojary
Eshwara : Sri Ghiridhar Nayak
Ganapathy : Sri Sadashiv Achar Nandi :Sri Kishore Poojary
Bhandasura I:Sri Kishore Kumar Gatty
Shukracharya:Sri Girish Shetty
Amitagana: Sri Vishnu Sharma
Kuchalaksha :Sri Divakar Patil
BhandasuraII:Sri Ravindra Uchill
Devendra : Sri Krishna Raj Rao
Vayu : Sri Kishore Poojary
Brahma : Sri Harish Kamath Vitla
Vishukara : Sri Harish U S Yeddadi
Vishangha : Sri Kishore Kumar Gatty
Vishnu : Sri K.A Addiga
Brahaspati : Sri Vittal Shetty
Kameshwar : Sri Giridhar Nayak
Narada : Sri Vishwanath Shetty
Dandanati : Sri Divakar Patil
Shyamalambe: Sri Sadashiv Achar
Maheshasura: Sri Chidanand Poojary
Yaksha : Sri Giridhar Nayak
Mantravadi: Sri Viswanath Shetty & Sri Harish Kamath Vitla
Vidyuanmali: Sri Krishna Kumar
Shumbhasura :Sri Sudhakar Thumbe
Nishumbashara: Sri.Sachidanand Kinya

Curtains Raiser: Sri Satish Ullal & Sri Vijay Keniya

Makeup Artist : Sri Dinesh Bejai