Yaksharangothsava – 2026
As part of the celebration of Kalabhi’s fifth year, Yaksharangothsava – 2026 marked the beginning of the Kala Habbagala Sarani at Kalagrama. Organised by the Kalabhi Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra, the festival brought together the tradition of Yakshagana, artistic learning and a new generation of performers within a shared cultural space.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Mohan Alva, who lit the ceremonial lamp and appreciated the cultural work being carried out by Kalabhi’s young team through theatre, drama and Yakshagana training. Dr. Meenakshi Ramachandra, Mahesh Jogi and Suman Kadri, along with other distinguished guests, were present and encouraged the artists and young performers.
One of the significant moments of the festival was the presentation of the prestigious Kalabhi Yaksha Yuva Puraskara to Puneeth Raj Boliyaru, an emerging artist from the Kateelu Mela. The recognition reflected Kalabhi’s effort to acknowledge and encourage young artists contributing to the continuing journey of Yakshagana. The festival also included a Guru Vandana, honouring Yaksha Guru Rakesh Rai Adka and Vidyabhushan Panjaje for their guidance and support in the artistic learning process.
A major artistic highlight of the festival was the presentation of “Shree Devi Mahatme,” a Yakshagana episode performed by young children. The performance reflected the learning process of the participants and their engagement with the traditional theatrical language of Yakshagana. Innovative stage design and attractive lighting added a distinctive visual dimension to the presentation, bringing together traditional performance practices and contemporary elements of stage presentation.
Organised as part of the Kalabhi Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra’s effort to take Yakshagana to the next generation, Yaksharangothsava – 2026 became an important opening chapter in Kalabhi’s fifth-year cultural celebrations. By recognising young talent, honouring artistic mentorship and creating a stage for children to engage with a living performance tradition, the festival created a meaningful connection between Yakshagana’s heritage and the generations that will carry it forward.
