Report : Clarence Pinto
Photographs : Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Oman
Muscat, Nov 1: It was like presenting a remarkable era of yesteryears in the golden land of Oman which has diversified culture and heritage. Tulunadu people residing in Oman had a great and rare opportunity, almost for the first time in the history to enjoy two fabulous shows of cultural extravaganza of coastal Karnataka that is fondly and popularly called as Aataā (meaning of the word both in Tulu and Kannada is play). The fantastic five (The Pancha Pandavas ) of Tulunadu Land residing in Oman, namely Pimtamber Alke, Ashok Suvarna, S. K. Poojary, Ramesh Shettigar and Dinakar Bhat were responsible to offer a cultural fiesta to the Yakshagana art lovers in Oman.
Yakshaganas in Tulu and Kannada, was an enjoyable festival presented by NPA Events on 30th October 2009 at Grande Hall of Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi. The evening had two shows – Gejjeda Pooje in Tulu and Akshayambara Vilasa in Kannada.
The commencement of the show was announced at 4.00 pm and Yakshagana lovers of the Karnataka region residing around Muscat were gathered at the venue well before the time. Every one had a great desire to watch the cultural extravaganza presented in Oman by some of the renowned artistes of Tenku Tittu Yakshagana region of the coastal Karnataka.
The Fantastic Five team of Alke, Ashok, Poojary, Shettigar and Dinakar has an history of presenting some of the classical and hilarious dramas to the theatre lovers in Oman and now, along with around fifty volunteers and supporters, did a great task in the arrangements and presentation. The organizers wanted to attract as many spectators as possible and hence, entry was free of cost. In fact, every thing was supported by many generous sponsors and well wishers, as it was announced during the show.
Yakshagana is a dance drama popular in the coastal region of Karnataka, India. It is believed to have evolved from pre classical music form and theatrical arts. Yakshagana is popular in the districts of Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod district of Kerala. This would be considered to be a form of opera in western eyes. Actors wear costumes and enact the various roles. Traditionally, Yakshaganas would go on all night. It is sometimes simply called as Aataā in both Kannada and Tulu (meaning play). Yaksha-gana literally means the song (gana) of a Yaksha. Yakshas were an exotic tribe mentioned in the Sanskrit literature of ancient India.
The program commenced with a warm and hearty welcome on behalf of “the fantastic five” by Ashok Suvarna – the man behind the success of NPA Events, a trend setter in its field in Oman. Official welcome in Tulu was presented by Arun Sanil. Jaya Ramesh Shettigar proposed vote of thanks expressing gratitude to all the sponsors and supporters.
As mentioned earlier, there were two different plots, one – Gejjeda Pooje in Tulu and Akshayambara Vilasa in Kannada. Both plots had interesting historical stories narrating the lives of Kings of yesteryears. Akshayambara Vilasa was based on the Mahabharat. The background artistes for both Yakshaganas were Bhagavata (singer)– Padyanna Ganapathi Bhat, Chande (Drums) – Adoor Ganesh Rao, Maddale – Padyanna Shankara Narayana Bhat. The Yakshaganas were presented by Navaneet Shetty – Kadri,Sadashiva Achary – Venoor, Sanjay Kumar Shetty, Sadashiva Kulal – Venoor, Vamana Kumar – Venoor, Shridhar Bhandary, D. Manohar Kumar, Bantwal Jayarama Achary, Shashikant Shetty – Karkala, Jayaprakash Shetty – Permude and Rajendra Shetty – Nalloor.
The main sponsors of the event were the New India Assurance Co. Ltd, Bank Muscat SAOG, Jet Airways, Times of Oman, Ruwi Modern Printing, Roca, STFA Construction Company, Middle East Traders, Bank Dhofar, Rock Fort Trading. The stage was designed and beautifully set by Divakar Shetty of Multitech Contracting LLC.
Dr. Ratnakumar, Country Manager of New India Assurance Co. Ltd was present during the function along with Parathasarathy – Chief Regional Manager of New India Assurance Co – Karnataka Region. They were felicitated by the organizers with floral bouquets.
“The fantatic five” team always supported various charitable institutions in Oman with generous contribution and this time, had great goal to support the Oman Folk Dance team of Sur Region and contributed a sum to the team, it was announced. The folk dance team from Sur presented a traditional Omani dance to the audience.
It was a great enjoyable evening for the Yakshagana lovers of Muscat and certainly “The fantastic five” team of Alke, Ashok, Poojary, Shettigar and Dinakar deserve a huge round of applause for their unselfish contribution to the Tulunadu culture and heritage and offering an opportunity to their fellow Tulunadu people.