Yaksharangothsava
Vision
To create a continuing platform for Yakshagana to be practised, performed, experienced and passed on to future generations, strengthening its place in Mangaluru's cultural life.
Mission
Yaksharangothsava aims to celebrate Yakshagana through annual festivals that bring together traditional performers, gurus, students, young artists and audiences. The festival creates opportunities for performances, artistic learning, recognition of emerging talent and engagement with the living traditions of Yakshagana.
Through the Kalabhi Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra, the initiative seeks to connect the learning of Yakshagana with the experience of performing it before an audience.
Why Yaksharangothsava?
Yakshagana is sustained through the combined efforts of performers, musicians, gurus and successive generations of learners. For this tradition to remain active, young artists need opportunities not only to learn but also to perform, collaborate and experience the responsibilities of the stage.
Yaksharangothsava creates a dedicated space for these experiences. It brings the traditional art form into a shared cultural setting where audiences can appreciate its artistic richness and young performers can participate in its continuing journey.
What the Festival Focuses On
Yaksharangothsava focuses on:
- Presenting Yakshagana performances that celebrate the depth and diversity of the tradition.
- Creating performance opportunities for students and emerging Yakshagana artists.
- Encouraging learning and artistic exchange between gurus, experienced performers and young artists.
- Recognising and encouraging promising talent in Yakshagana.
- Honouring the contribution of gurus and practitioners who sustain the tradition.
- Bringing audiences, families, artists and cultural communities together through Yakshagana.
- Encouraging new productions and sustained engagement with the art form.
Purpose
The larger purpose of Yaksharangothsava is to build a continuing platform where Yakshagana can be learned, performed, appreciated and carried forward by future generations.
Each annual edition contributes a new chapter to this journey through its performances, participating artists, recognitions and artistic experiences.