Bengaluru: Tulunadu’s rich cultural heritage took centre stage during the Freedom Habba celebrations, as Yakshagana and Bharatanatyam performances captivated audiences at the Freedom Parade in front of Vidhana Soudha.

The cultural presentations were led by Panchami Maroor, who showcased the traditional art forms of Tulunadu through the Yaksha Taranga team and the Shree Paramparaa Hejje Gejje Y P Art Foundation (R), Bengaluru.

The opportunity to present Yakshagana on the grand stage in front of Vidhana Soudha, the seat of Karnataka’s legislature, marked a proud moment for the performers and the wider Tulunadu community.

Yakshagana brings Tulunadu’s heritage to the stage

Under the leadership of Panchami Maroor, the Yaksha Taranga team presented a vibrant Yakshagana performance as part of the Freedom Habba celebrations.

Yakshagana is one of the most distinctive traditional performance traditions associated with coastal Karnataka. Combining dance, music, dialogue, elaborate costumes and expressive storytelling, the art form has played an important role in preserving the cultural identity of the region.

The performance at the Freedom Parade provided the Yaksha Taranga team with an opportunity to present this traditional art form before a large audience in the heart of Bengaluru.

Performing Yakshagana in front of Vidhana Soudha added special significance to the occasion. The iconic building, which represents Karnataka’s legislative and democratic institutions, served as the backdrop for a presentation celebrating the state’s diverse cultural traditions.

For Panchami Maroor and the performers, taking Yakshagana to such a prominent platform was a memorable achievement and a moment of pride for Tulunadu.

Bharatanatyam meets Tulu culture

The celebrations also featured a special Bharatanatyam presentation by the Shree Paramparaa Hejje Gejje Y P Art Foundation (R), Bengaluru, led by Panchami Maroor.

The group presented Bharatanatyam to a Tulu song, creating a distinctive combination of India’s classical dance tradition and the cultural identity of Tulunadu.

The presentation demonstrated how regional languages and traditions can be incorporated into established classical art forms. The use of a Tulu song in a Bharatanatyam performance gave the presentation a distinct regional character while retaining the grace and discipline associated with the classical dance form.

The performance also complemented the Yakshagana presentation, bringing two different artistic traditions together on the same stage.

Performances before dignitaries

The cultural programmes were presented in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, other dignitaries and a large gathering of spectators.

The opportunity to perform Yakshagana before distinguished personalities and a public audience at such a prominent location added to the significance of the event for the participating artists.

For Panchami Maroor and the Yaksha Taranga team, the occasion provided an opportunity to demonstrate the richness of Tulunadu’s traditional performing arts to audiences beyond the coastal region.

The performances also highlighted the diversity of Karnataka’s cultural landscape, with regional traditions finding space alongside state-level celebrations.

A platform for Tulunadu’s cultural identity

The sight of Yakshagana and Bharatanatyam being presented on the grand stage in front of Vidhana Soudha gave the Freedom Habba a distinctive cultural dimension.

Yakshagana represented the traditional performing heritage of Tulunadu, while Bharatanatyam, presented to a Tulu song, offered a unique meeting point between regional culture and Indian classical dance.

Having both presentations under the leadership of Panchami Maroor made the occasion particularly significant for the artists and supporters associated with the programmes.

Such platforms provide regional artists with an opportunity to introduce traditional art forms to wider audiences and encourage younger generations to remain connected with their cultural heritage.

Support for the cultural showcase

The opportunity for the artists to showcase Tulunadu’s traditions at the state-level celebration was made possible with the support of the Jai Tulu Nadu Bengaluru (R) team, Nidhish Shetty and Yathish M, Digital PRO.

Their support helped provide a prominent platform for the artists and contributed to bringing Tulunadu’s cultural traditions to the Freedom Habba celebrations.

The participation also underlined the role of cultural organisations and community groups in preserving and promoting regional art forms outside their traditional geographical setting.

A proud moment for Tulunadu

The Freedom Habba presentation allowed Panchami Maroor and her teams to bring the artistic traditions of Tulunadu to the centre of Bengaluru.

From the energetic presentation of Yakshagana by Yaksha Taranga to the graceful Bharatanatyam performance set to a Tulu song, the programmes showcased the richness and diversity of the region’s cultural identity.

Performing before Vidhana Soudha, in the presence of senior Karnataka leaders and a large audience, added further significance to the occasion.

The event served not only as a celebration of freedom but also as a platform for cultural expression. By presenting Tulunadu’s traditional arts at a prominent state-level celebration, the performers helped highlight the importance of preserving regional heritage while introducing it to new audiences.

For Panchami Maroor, the artists and their supporters, the Freedom Habba thus became a memorable occasion to celebrate and promote the rich cultural legacy of Tulunadu.