Folk Dance Yakshagana

• 28 Nov 2024

Source: TH 

Why in News?  

Tulasi Raghvendra Hegde, a 15-year-old prodigy, has gained recognition as a leading Yakshagana performer. Recently awarded the Young Achiever Award 2024 by the Rotary Club of Madras East.

What is Yakshagana? 

• About: Yakshagana is a traditional folk dance-drama from coastal Karnataka, combining dance, music, song, and elaborate costumes.  
  • Its name,  "Yakshagana" translates to "celestial music" (Yaksha meaning celestial and Gana meaning music). and it presents a celestial world through scholarly dialogues and night-long performances. 
  • Yakshagana performances are held in open-air theatres, often in village paddy fields, after harvest. Traditionally performed by men, women are now increasingly part of Yakshagana Melas(troupes). 
• Key Elements of Yakshagana: 
  • The Act: Each performance focuses on a sub-story (Prasanga) from ancient Hindu epics like the Ramayana or Mahabharata.  
    • These performances combine stage acting and commentary, with a lead singer or Bhagavatha narrating the story, accompanied by traditional music. 
  • The Music: Yakshagana music features instruments like Chande (drums), Harmonium, Maddale, Taala (mini metal clappers), and flute, creating a rhythmic atmosphere for the dancers. 
  • The Dress: Performers wear elaborate and unique costumes, including large headgear, colorful face paint, body costumes, and musical beads on the legs (Gejje).  
    • These costumes are heavy, requiring great strength, and the performances last several hours. 

Folk Dance 

• About: It is a traditional dance form passed down through generations, reflecting the community's customs, rituals, and daily life, serving to express identity and transmit cultural heritage. 
• Major Folk Dances of India: 

Region	Folk Dance Form
Andhra Pradesh	Burrakatha, Butta Bommalu
Assam	Bihu
Bihar	Biraha, Jat-Jatin
Chhattisgarh	Gaur Maria, Raut Naach
Goa	Tarangamel, Fugdi
Gujarat	Garba
Himachal Pradesh	Charba
Jammu & Kashmir	Dumhal
Jharkhand	Chhau (Saraikella)
Karnataka	Yakshagana, Bhootha Aradhane, Pata Kunitha
Kerala	Kummi, Kolkali-Parichakali, Padayani, Kaikottikali, Chakyar koothu, Mayilattam
Madhya Pradesh	Jawara
Manipur	Thang Ta
Mizoram	Cheraw
Nagaland	Rangma
Odisha	Chhau (Mayurbhanj), Paika, Jhumar, Danda-Jatra, Dalkhai
Punjab	Bhangra, Giddha, Jhoomar
Rajasthan	Ghoomar, Kalbelia
Sikkim	Singhi Chham
Tamil Nadu	Kummi, Mayilattam
Uttar Pradesh	Raslila, Dadra
West Bengal	Chhau (Purulia), Alkap

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims 

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2014)

1. Garba : Gujarat  
2. Mohiniattam: Odisha  
3. Yakshagana : Karnataka  

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?  

A. (i) only  

B. (ii) and (iii) only  

C. (i) and (iii) only  

D. (i), (ii) and (iii)

Ans: (C)