Covid-19: Suspension of Yakshagana shows across Coastal Karnataka cause inconvenience to the artists

Team Udayavani, May 8, 2020, 5:24 PM IST

Covid-19 has affected Yakshagana artists across the state as government has banned Yakshagana shows across coastal Karnataka and Malnad districts to prevent community spread.

Dakshina Kannada and the Udupi district administrations have asked Yakshagana organisers to postpone their shows for the time being.

All the Yakshagana shows of Kateel, Mandarthi, Dharmasthala, Saligrama, Perdoor, Sunkadakatte, Sasihithlu, Hosanagara, Hiriyadka, Saukooru, Madamakki, Haladi and other Yakshagana Melas have been suspended temporarily as a precautionary measure. The decision to stop the shows is a huge blow on the Yakshagana artists, who make a living by staging the Yakshagana.

It is said that the performances of Yakshagana troupes will come to a halt immediately after the ceremonial ‘Pattanaje’ the 10th day in the solar month of Besa (Vrishabha Maasa) in the month of May ahead of the rainy season and the artists collect next year’s shows’ advances from the organizers as for the rest 6 months there will be no shows.

But this year no organizer is ready to organize Yakshagana Melas even next year due to the pandemic fear. Many artists have no alternate jobs and are now struggling for income.

The Yakshagana artists are now requesting government to help the artists by providing them withan alternate solution.