Two Yakshagana characters, Devendra and Mairavana, about 12 feet high, welcome the visitors at the entrance of Yaksha Mangala museum. The museum is a part of Dr P Dayananda Pai and Sri P Sathish Pai Yakshagana Study Centre at Mangalore University. To disseminate, document and research on Yakshagana, Mangalore University established the Yakshagana Study Centre through a trust in 2009. The museum, with life-size models of characters and other eye-catching exhibits, gives us an insight into the world of Yakshagana.
Folk theatre
Yakshagana is a popular folk theatre form of Karnataka with a history of several centuries. It is a unique blend of traditional music, colourful costumes, dance and drama. The two major styles of Yakshagana are tenkutittu and badagutittu. In the museum, the models of main characters like hasya vesha, hanumantha, punduvesha, rajavesha, rakshasa, kiratha and sthree vesha are displayed in both styles. These models with elaborate costume are made of fibre.
The museum has mukhavadas (facial masks) that depict the colours used for the facial painting of Yakshagana characters. Different types of wooden kiritas (headgears) are displayed at the museum. The headgear is commensurate with the role of the character. A grand crown is worn by kings, while the demonic characters wear a different crown with a coloured disc in front. Among the ornaments, kavacha (decorates the chest), bhuja keerthi (armlets) and dabu (belts) are on display. It also features various ayudhas (weapons) used by Yakshagana characters.
Further, the models of himmela (background music) instruments such as chende, maddale, jagate, chakratala and harmonium provide an understanding of Yakshagana. A scene of the chowki (green room) explains the variety of costumes and different aspects of make-up, while also giving importance to the minute details of seating arrangements. A stage set-up has been made to showcase the characters moving from the chowki to the stage for performance. The melodious himmela reverberates in the museum, giving the visitors a feel of Yakshagana. The lighting in the rooms adds to the experience.
The legacy
Apart from this, there are photographs of bayalata (open-air drama), tent mela and iconic gestures of some popular characters. We can also see rare photographs of popular Yakshagana artistes in the museum. It has a collection of over 200 photographs including that of Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, Bannada Mahalinga and Keremane Shambhu Hegde. The library in the museum has a collection of over 3,000 books, research volumes and journals on Yakshagana. It also has rare manuscripts on prasangas and performance texts, received as donations by various scholars.
Dhananjaya, director of the Yakshagana Study Centre, says, "To highlight the folk art form of the coastal region, the Yaksha Mangala Museum was established in 2011 with various models of Yakshagana characters. The photographs of Yakshagana artistes are being updated as and when the centre receives them. Further, the centre is also planning to bring out a book furnishing details of all Yakshagana artistes. There is also a plan to digitise the Yakshagana manuscripts available in the library."
The number of visitors to the museum has increased over the years. Postgraduate students are trained in Yakshagana under the aegis of Yakshagana Study Centre and the team is named Yaksha Mangala troupe. Artist Jeevanram Sullia has designed the museum.
The models of tenkutittu style of Yakshagana were prepared by Mahabala Kalmadka, and the models of badagutittu style were designed by Shivakumar Ujire. The two models at the entrance were made by M G K Acharya. Museum is open on all working days. One can contact the museum on 0824-2284537.
Folk theatre
Yakshagana is a popular folk theatre form of Karnataka with a history of several centuries. It is a unique blend of traditional music, colourful costumes, dance and drama. The two major styles of Yakshagana are tenkutittu and badagutittu. In the museum, the models of main characters like hasya vesha, hanumantha, punduvesha, rajavesha, rakshasa, kiratha and sthree vesha are displayed in both styles. These models with elaborate costume are made of fibre.
The museum has mukhavadas (facial masks) that depict the colours used for the facial painting of Yakshagana characters. Different types of wooden kiritas (headgears) are displayed at the museum. The headgear is commensurate with the role of the character. A grand crown is worn by kings, while the demonic characters wear a different crown with a coloured disc in front. Among the ornaments, kavacha (decorates the chest), bhuja keerthi (armlets) and dabu (belts) are on display. It also features various ayudhas (weapons) used by Yakshagana characters.
Further, the models of himmela (background music) instruments such as chende, maddale, jagate, chakratala and harmonium provide an understanding of Yakshagana. A scene of the chowki (green room) explains the variety of costumes and different aspects of make-up, while also giving importance to the minute details of seating arrangements. A stage set-up has been made to showcase the characters moving from the chowki to the stage for performance. The melodious himmela reverberates in the museum, giving the visitors a feel of Yakshagana. The lighting in the rooms adds to the experience.
The legacy
Apart from this, there are photographs of bayalata (open-air drama), tent mela and iconic gestures of some popular characters. We can also see rare photographs of popular Yakshagana artistes in the museum. It has a collection of over 200 photographs including that of Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, Bannada Mahalinga and Keremane Shambhu Hegde. The library in the museum has a collection of over 3,000 books, research volumes and journals on Yakshagana. It also has rare manuscripts on prasangas and performance texts, received as donations by various scholars.
Dhananjaya, director of the Yakshagana Study Centre, says, "To highlight the folk art form of the coastal region, the Yaksha Mangala Museum was established in 2011 with various models of Yakshagana characters. The photographs of Yakshagana artistes are being updated as and when the centre receives them. Further, the centre is also planning to bring out a book furnishing details of all Yakshagana artistes. There is also a plan to digitise the Yakshagana manuscripts available in the library."
The number of visitors to the museum has increased over the years. Postgraduate students are trained in Yakshagana under the aegis of Yakshagana Study Centre and the team is named Yaksha Mangala troupe. Artist Jeevanram Sullia has designed the museum.
The models of tenkutittu style of Yakshagana were prepared by Mahabala Kalmadka, and the models of badagutittu style were designed by Shivakumar Ujire. The two models at the entrance were made by M G K Acharya. Museum is open on all working days. One can contact the museum on 0824-2284537.