Dubai: Dubai Yakshagana Abhyasa Tharagati (DYAT) students along with Guest Artiste from Mangalore successfully presented a full-fledged Yakshagana Prasanga titled ‘Lalithopakyana’ (based on the famous mythological Devi Mahatme) in association with Precious Parties & Entertainment on 11 June 2022 in Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, The Indian High School, Oud Metha Road, Dubai.

Around 72 characters beautifully portrayed by more than 50 artistes ably directed by the stalwart Yakshaguru Mayura Shekar D. Shettigar & presented by Convener of DYAT, Dinesh Shetty Kottinja was worth watching from 3.30 pm until 12 midnight by over more than 1400 spectators with rounds and rounds of applause made Yakshagana’s true presence in this part of the world after a long time. On the whole ‘Dubai Yakshotsava 2022’ was a successful event concluded with fervour as promised on the golden sands of Dubai.

The event was inaugurated in a purely traditional way with the ‘Lalitha Sahasranama’ recitation, Bhajan hymns & Chowki Pooja at 3.30 pm later the presentation over the colourful traditional stage set up with lights and lamps. Guests were invited to the stage for the auspicious lighting of the lamp wherein the guests did the prayers and wished-for success. A one-minute standing prayer was offered to all the departed souls during the pandemic period including prayer for the ex-President of UAE Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who left for his heavenly abode recently.

For the first time, DYAT presented the ‘Yaksha Shri Raksha’ honourable award to the well-known Yakshagana stalwart of Billawas, Prabhakar D. Suvarna Karnire. He was honoured by the Guests on stage with Shawl, Headgear, Fruit Basket, Flower, Honour Certificate & Memento. In return, Prabhakar Suvarna thanked the organisers for the award bestowed and promised more contributions in the future.

Invitee Yaksha Couple Amritha Adiga & Kaushik Rao Puthige who charmed the audience with the soulful voice of Bhagavathige & Chende-maddale (drums) respectively were honoured on-stage by Guests with Shawl, Headgear, Fruit Basket, Flower, Honour Certificate & Memento.

The star of the evening, Yaksha Druva Patla Satish Shetty was also honoured with Shawl, Headgear, Fruit Basket, Flower, Honour Certificate & Memento by the Guests on stage.

All the Sponsors of the evening were invited onto the stage and honoured with Shawls & Mementos. The Main Sponsor, Bhima Golds contributed all the honorees with Gold Coin and also chose the lucky person of the evening with the Gold Coin presentation.

063 Colourful Yakshagana Lalithopakyana charms all in Dubai

062 Colourful Yakshagana Lalithopakyana charms all in Dubai

It was a feast for all Yakshagana lovers and it was really astonishing to see the tiny tots dressed in Yakshagana costumes and presenting on the stage with timely steps and style which enthralled the audience who kept on cheering them during the performance. They have really practised with perfection to present this show along with their experienced co-artistes whose performance was par excellence. To mention specially the character of ‘Bandasura’ portrayed by the guest artiste was par excellence including his presence as Devi. The rest of the artistes have each done justice to their role.

The guests include Vasu Bhat Puthige, Sujath Shetty, Praveen Kumar Shetty, Sarvotham Shetty, Harish Sherigar, Harish Bangera, Gunasheel Shetty, Satish Poojary, Nagaraj Rao, Sudhakar Rao Pejavar, Athmanand Rai, Premnath Shetty, Vinod Kumar, Ramanand Shetty, Ramachandra Hegde, Ramesh Shetty, Manohar Tonse, Jayaram Rai, Sunder Shetty, Sudarshan Rai, Rashmikanth Shetty, Sandeep Rai Nanje, Ronald Martis, Yogish Prabhu and others.

After the show, there was a sumptuous buffet vegetarian dinner for the audience.

On June 12, a valedictory ceremony honouring the participants, media representatives and well-wishers of the programme was held in Fortune Hotel, Ghusais.

Report by: Shodhan Prasad