Mangalore, May 14: Addressing the gathering after releasing the book ‘Yakshashree’ during the annual celebration of Montethadka Shree Durga Parameshwari Yakshagana Sangha on the Arasinamakki Shri Gopalakrishna Higher Primary School premises in Belthangady M L Samaga, President Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Academy said that Yakshagana artistes should work towards preserving the classical folk art form.
‘Earlier,Yakshagana artistes performed to keep the tradition alive but now they are only keen on receiving awards which demeans the value of the art form and the artiste’ he said.
He said he was happy that the government formed the yakshagana academy, as it has made it easy to record an artiste’s achievements. It will also help to pass down the art from one generation to another, he added.
Responding to comments made against Yakshagana by a sandalwood actress, Samaga said: “It is not worth a response. It is clear that Yakshagana has its own audience and no one can damage its heritage. As the art form has a religious background, one should not pass derogatory comments”.
Shree Durgaparameshwari Yakshagana Sangha president Jayaprakash Hebbar presided over the programme.
