Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (SN/CN)

Udupi, Dec 22: The 90th birth celebrations of ‘Maddale Mantrika Hiriyadka Gopalaraya’, were held at Ontibettu, Hiriyadka, on Sunday December 21.

The event was organized by Dashavatara Yakshagana Kalamandali Kajaraguttu.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Peter J Clauss, folklorist, Finland, said that Gopalaraya is credited with introducing the Yakshagana of the coastal region in western countries. “He taught the art of Yakshagana to many foreigners including me, and let him complete his 100 years with a grand celebration”, he said.

Yakshagana and ‘Mantrika maddale’ (tabor) inspired Gopalaraya to foster enthusiasm in his life from a young age said Kumble Sundar Rao, president, Yakshagana Academy. 

Dr Raghava Nambiar, Yakshgana critic, said that Gopalaraya was the one who gave an educational outlook to Yakshagana.

Presiding over the function, Dr N B Vijaya Ballal, trustee, Ambalapady Temple, presented a silver tabor to Gopalaraya on the occasion.

After receiving the honour, Gopalaraya said that being a teacher of the Yakshagana Mela itself is the base of success and becoming an artiste is luck.

His students Ananta Padmanabha Bhat, Murali Kadekar, and Mohan Tonse, were felicitated on the occasion. Vishnu Tendul compered the programme. Srinivas Bhat welcomed the gathering.