KUNTIKANAMATA

SHRI SHANKARANARAYANA TEMPLE

YAKSHAGANA

This is a classical dance form prevalent in Coastal parts of Karnataka,Kerala and some parts in Andhrapradesh and Tamilnadu. It was classified as a folk dance form earlier but now it can be considerd as a classical as it is influenced by Kathakali,karnatik and hindustani music.Traditionally yakshagana was a media used to narrate Mythological stories to people in dance and drama form.Usually it takes 5 to 7 years to become an Yakshagana artist .Yakshagana is a perforemd whole night in a big Field with a beutiful stage with lights and decoration. Bhagavatha acts as a singer and director of the play accompanied by mrudangam,chende and Harmonium artists.Veshadhari or a actor will dance in the stage and will speak.Yakshagana has evolved a lot and influenced by various at forms.Yakshagana provides a platform all the villagers to meet at one point and enjoy the togetherness.History says poets like Parthisubba wrote many literature to lay a foundation for the development of yakshagana.Established artists have excellent knowledge about mythology and are able to discus and debate on issues in a very methodic way making it very unique form of art.