This dance….
is called: Yakshagana
Yakshagana (Kanada: ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ) is a traditional theater, developed in the state of Karnataka and Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
Societal relevance
Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn. Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavtaa and other epics from both Hindu and Jain and other ancient Indic traditions. This theatre style is mainly found in coastal regions of Karnataka in various forms, variations and partly under different names.
Yakshagana is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during the period of the Bhaktimovement. Yakshagana literally means the gana (people) who are the yaksha (nature spirits). Yakshagana is the scholastic name in Kanada (used for the last 200 years) for art forms formerly known as kēḷike, āṭa,bayalata, and daśāvatāra. The word Yakshagana previously referred to a form of literature primarily in Kanada (starting from the 16th century). Performance of this Yakshagana literature or the play is called āṭa.
Important components
Raga
Rāga refers to melodic framework used in Yakshagana. It is based on pre-classical melodic forms that comprise a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded. Ragas in Yakshagana are closely associated with a set of melodic forms called mattu. In the Yakshagana tradition, rāgas are associated with different times of the night throughout which the Yakshagana is performed.
Tala
Tala are frameworks for rhythms in Yakshagana that are determined by a poetry style called Yakshagana Padya. Tala also decide how a composition is to be enacted by the dancers. It is similar to tala in other forms of Indian music, but differs from them structurally. Each composition is set to one or more talas, rendered by the himmela percussion artists play.
Prasanga and literature
Yakshagana poetry (Yakshagana Padya or Yakshagana Prasanga) is a collection of poems written to form a music drama. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres, using a frame work of ragas and talas. Yakshagana also has its own metre. The collection of Yakshagana poems forming a musical drama is called a Prasanga. The oldest surviving parasanga books are believed to have been composed in the 15th century. But many compositions have been lost to time. There is evidence showing that oral compositions were in use before the 15th century. The narratives of the surviving historic Yakshagana Prasangas are now often printed in paperback.
Costumes and ornaments
Yakshagna costumes are rich in color. The costumes (or vesha) in Kannada depend on characters depicted in the play (prasanga). It also depends on the Yakshagana style. Traditionally, Badagutittu Yakshagana ornaments are made out of light wood, pieces of mirror, and colored stones. Lighter materials, such as thermocol, are sometimes used today, although ornaments are still predominantly made of woodwork. Yakshagana costumes consist of headgear (Kirita or Pagade), Kavacha that decorates the chest, Buja Keerthi (armlets) that decorate the shoulders, and belts (Dabu)—all made up of light wood and covered with golden foil. Mirror work on these ornaments helps to reflect light during shows and add more color to the costumes. Armaments are worn on a vest and cover the upper half of the body. The lower half is covered with a so called kachche, which come in unique combinations of red, yellow, and orange checks. Bulky pads are used under the kachche, making the actors' proportions different in size from normal. The character, Bannada Vesha, is used to depict monsters. This often involves detailed facial makeup taking three to four hours to complete. Males play the female roles in traditional Yakshagana. However, more recently, Yakshagana has seen female artists, who perform in both male and female roles. The character of Stree Vesha makes use of sari and other decorative ornaments.
Music
Maddale
The maddale is a percussion anstrument and, along with the chande, is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in the Yakshagana ensemble.
Taala (Bells)
Yakshagana bells or cymbals, are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy (traditionally five metal). They are made to fit the tone of the bhagawatha's voice. Singers carry more than one set, as finger bells are available in different keys, thus enabling them to sing in different pitches. They help create and guide the background music in Yakshagana.
Chande
The Chande is a drum and, along with the maddale, is an important rhythmic accompaniment in the Yakshagana ensemble.
[1] Talks with Akshata Ramesh (Dancer from India)
[2] Wikipedia, Letzter Zugriff: 24.02.2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakshagana
is called: Yakshagana
Yakshagana (Kanada: ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ) is a traditional theater, developed in the state of Karnataka and Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
Societal relevance
Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn. Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavtaa and other epics from both Hindu and Jain and other ancient Indic traditions. This theatre style is mainly found in coastal regions of Karnataka in various forms, variations and partly under different names.
Yakshagana is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during the period of the Bhaktimovement. Yakshagana literally means the gana (people) who are the yaksha (nature spirits). Yakshagana is the scholastic name in Kanada (used for the last 200 years) for art forms formerly known as kēḷike, āṭa,bayalata, and daśāvatāra. The word Yakshagana previously referred to a form of literature primarily in Kanada (starting from the 16th century). Performance of this Yakshagana literature or the play is called āṭa.
Important components
Raga
Rāga refers to melodic framework used in Yakshagana. It is based on pre-classical melodic forms that comprise a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded. Ragas in Yakshagana are closely associated with a set of melodic forms called mattu. In the Yakshagana tradition, rāgas are associated with different times of the night throughout which the Yakshagana is performed.
Tala
Tala are frameworks for rhythms in Yakshagana that are determined by a poetry style called Yakshagana Padya. Tala also decide how a composition is to be enacted by the dancers. It is similar to tala in other forms of Indian music, but differs from them structurally. Each composition is set to one or more talas, rendered by the himmela percussion artists play.
Prasanga and literature
Yakshagana poetry (Yakshagana Padya or Yakshagana Prasanga) is a collection of poems written to form a music drama. The poems are composed in well known Kannada metres, using a frame work of ragas and talas. Yakshagana also has its own metre. The collection of Yakshagana poems forming a musical drama is called a Prasanga. The oldest surviving parasanga books are believed to have been composed in the 15th century. But many compositions have been lost to time. There is evidence showing that oral compositions were in use before the 15th century. The narratives of the surviving historic Yakshagana Prasangas are now often printed in paperback.
Costumes and ornaments
Yakshagna costumes are rich in color. The costumes (or vesha) in Kannada depend on characters depicted in the play (prasanga). It also depends on the Yakshagana style. Traditionally, Badagutittu Yakshagana ornaments are made out of light wood, pieces of mirror, and colored stones. Lighter materials, such as thermocol, are sometimes used today, although ornaments are still predominantly made of woodwork. Yakshagana costumes consist of headgear (Kirita or Pagade), Kavacha that decorates the chest, Buja Keerthi (armlets) that decorate the shoulders, and belts (Dabu)—all made up of light wood and covered with golden foil. Mirror work on these ornaments helps to reflect light during shows and add more color to the costumes. Armaments are worn on a vest and cover the upper half of the body. The lower half is covered with a so called kachche, which come in unique combinations of red, yellow, and orange checks. Bulky pads are used under the kachche, making the actors' proportions different in size from normal. The character, Bannada Vesha, is used to depict monsters. This often involves detailed facial makeup taking three to four hours to complete. Males play the female roles in traditional Yakshagana. However, more recently, Yakshagana has seen female artists, who perform in both male and female roles. The character of Stree Vesha makes use of sari and other decorative ornaments.
Music
Maddale
The maddale is a percussion anstrument and, along with the chande, is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in the Yakshagana ensemble.
Taala (Bells)
Yakshagana bells or cymbals, are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy (traditionally five metal). They are made to fit the tone of the bhagawatha's voice. Singers carry more than one set, as finger bells are available in different keys, thus enabling them to sing in different pitches. They help create and guide the background music in Yakshagana.
Chande
The Chande is a drum and, along with the maddale, is an important rhythmic accompaniment in the Yakshagana ensemble.
[1] Talks with Akshata Ramesh (Dancer from India)
[2] Wikipedia, Letzter Zugriff: 24.02.2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakshagana