Mumbai: Yakshagana Treasure Trove of Coastal Karnataka – Sadanand Shetty

By Rons Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Mumbai, Oct 30, 2013 : The language is essential for the confluence of people.  The splendor of culture lies in words.  It’s tragic for the mankind that over 600 ethnic languages have gone extinct owing to globalization in the recent few decades.  Although, it has not affected Indian regional languages so far, but it’s likely to get its turn some day.  Meanwhile, Karnataka Sangh – Goregaon has been doing its yeomen service in sustaining Kannada and its glorious culture through ongoing Rangastala and Grantayana programmes that has indeed brought me happiness, said Rangastala director Petri Vishwanat Shetty.

 

 

 
Vishwanat while delivering presidential address during Yakshagana extravaganza and multi-linguists poetry session here said that the resource person Sadanand Shetty is a rare personality who has struck a balance between his profession and hobby without hooking on to any ill habits.  It’s indeed given me while Sadanand Shetty inaugurating the programme.  I count on the support of Sadanand in all activities.  If at all, one wants to listen to pure Kannada in the metro, he/she has to be audience during Yakshagana play or Yakshagana Taalamaddale, analyzed Vishwanat.


 
Speaking on the occasion, Sadanand Shetty said, ‘Yakshagana is a glorious art of coastal Karnataka that is un-satiating as much as one savors the most.  I have been a amateur Yakshagana artistes in the metro since 4 decades.  I worked with Yakshagana troupes such as Sainat, Durgaparameshwari, Janapriya, Geetambika, Bunts Yaksha Kala Bedike etc.  I am happy that I trained a few Yakshagana enthusiasts.  All my life, I have been known in Yakshagana sphere and I got a rare chance to inaugurate this event.  It’s a unique experience and I remain grateful to Rangastala.  The Yakshagana sphere has to open up for innovations and experiments.  It ought to help in sustaining Yakshagana,’ said Sadanand.


 
Sadanand inaugurated the programme by traditional methods unfurling flower of areca tree.  He also offered floral welcome to all the participants of the programme.


 
Karnataka Sangh – Goregaon president Payyar Ramesh Shetty said that both Rangastala and Grantayana are organizing year-long programmes with great success.  He was happy to see the packed audience at the venue, said Ramesh.


 
The Yakshagana artistes Vasudha Nayak, Suma Nayak, Sulata Nayak, Sumangala Shetty, G T Acharya, Ganesh Kumar, Devalakunda Bhaskar Shetty, ravi Anchan, Gangadhar Kalladi, Srinivas Sapaliga, exhibited their professional traits during the first experimental Yakshagana show.


 
The Tulu poets led by Nikhita Amin, Bharati Nayak, Vasudha Nayak, Suma Nayak and Usha Shetty, joined by Mita Shetty, Vidhya Moolya, Padma Nayak, Sulata Nayak, Rama Nayak, Nagaratna Nayak, Smita Patkar, Shanta Prabhu, Sumitra Kundar, Suguna Bangera and others.


 
As preparatory for Swarasangam programme, both Kannada and Marati poetry sessions were successful, while Konkani singing led by Seema Kulkarni along with Vijayalaxmi Chandavarkar and Mohini Poojary was the highlight of the programme.  Vidhya Deshpande and Rakshina Nayak group comprising Veda Suvarna, Vasanti Kotekar, Pratiksha Nayak and Vidhya Moolya presented Hindi songs.


 
Srinivas Sapaliga welcomed the gathering.  Sumangala Shetty introduced the guests.  Geeta Nayak proposed vote of thanks.  M M Poornakar Shetty compered the programme.


 
The programme was concluded by singing National Anthem.