Dubai: Yakshagana Abhyasa Tharagati, Dubai an institution for all aged teaching skills of one of the oldest art forms of coastal Karnataka ‘Yakshagana’ in Dubai has been doing a wonderful job with over 70 children and elders attaining knowledge through the stalwarts Shekar D. Shettigar & Convener Dinesh Shetty Kottinja who are contributing their valuable time for over 3 years.
To showcase their skills after the training they have now ready to stage a full-fledged Yakshagana Prasanga titled ‘Lalithopakyana’ (based on the famous mythological Devi Mahatme) with Precious Parties & Entertainment presenting the show with the able direction of Yakshaguru/Yaksha Mayura Shekar D. Shetty on Saturday June, 11 at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, The Indian High School, Oud Metha Road, Dubai.
In this respect an ‘Invitation & Ticket Release’ function was held on May 1 at Fortune Grand Hotel, Al Ghusais, Dubai at 10 am. It started with a prayer from the students of the Yakshagana Abhyasa Tharagati and a welcome note by Convener Dinesh Shetty Kottinja who welcomed the Guests with honour.
The Guests included Sarvotham Shetty, President of UAE Bunts & Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Praveen Kumar Shetty, President Karnataka NRI Forum & Businessman Fortune Group of Hotels, Harish Sherigar, Businessman Acme Group & Producer Tulu/Kannada Films, Shashidhar Nagarajappa of Kannada Pata Shale, Satish Poojary, Ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah & Billawas Family Dubai, Harish Bangera, Businessman Dubai Source & Producer Kannada Film, Gunasheel Shetty, Businessman Ace Cranes, Shodhan Prasad, Organiser, Film Producer/Distributor, Sandhya Creations, Premjith of Tulu Patherga Tulu Oripaga, Sunder Shetty, Businessman Nihal & Tandoori Restaurants, Abu Dhabi, Rajesh Kuthar, President of Gammath Kalavider, Dubai, Vasu Bhat, Promoter of Art & Businessman, Venus/Hamba Group of Restaurants, B.K. Ganesh Rai, Organiser & Creative Art Director, Raghuram Shettigar of Padmashali Association Dubai, Manohar Thonse, Writer & Convenor of Abu Dhabi Billawa Sangha, Sujath Shetty, Businessman Gantoot Building Materials, Dubai, Dayanand Hebbar of Brahmana Samaja Dubai, Anand Bailoor, Ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah.
All the above Guests and a few invitees from Dakshina Kannada along with the Convener & Ladies of Yakshagana Abhyasa Tharagthi opened the program with the traditional ‘Lighting of the Lamp’. Dinesh Shetty Kottinja briefed all present on the activities of the Institution and thanked all those who have contributed to the Institution and well-wishers who kept their activities on the move.
Puthige Vasudev Bhat showered the blessings and conveyed good wishes for the upcoming program. The Invitation was released and distributed to the guests and media. A ticket release was done and at the same time exclusively designed colourful ‘T-Shirt’ of Yakshodas was also released by the guests of honour.
All the Guests spoke well during the program and appealed to all Kannadigas & Tuluvas residing in UAE to support the age-old Art of Yakshagana in keeping it alive for the future generations to come. With the commitment of full cooperation both morally and financially all the Guests showed their willingness in supporting the organisers who are taking such a huge responsibility for a good cause.
Guru Shekar D. Shettigar then briefed on how the Yakshagana Abhyasa Tharagati has transitioned from a few people to the current large institution wherein more than 70 students not only keep learning the form of Yashagana but also simultaneously are learning Kannada as well which is much necessary for a Yakshagana exponent. He also cited the Chief Convenor Dinesh Shetty Kottinja’s contribution to this institution which has kept this institution alive in this part of the world. His support has taken this institution to greater heights and now the exponents will showcase their talents in the upcoming programme.
Shekar Shettigar also informed us about Guest participants in the upcoming ‘Lalithopakyana’ Yashsgana.
The following well-known personalities will arrive from India to grace the function:
Yakshadruva Patla Satish Shetty – Bhagavathike
Amrutha Kaushik Rao – Saha Bhagavathike
Kaushik Rao Puthige & Savinaya Nellitheertha – Chende & Maddale
Deepak Rao Pejavar – Sthree Veshadari
Gangadhar D. Shettigar Kinnigoli & Nithin Kumpala – Prasadana & Veshabhushana
It is important that ‘Yakshagana’ is a very old traditional form of art which needs to be preserved for many generations to come and this can be only done by our own people of Karnataka who should put their heart and soul into supporting the ‘Yakshagana Abhayasa Tharabeti’ institution who have taken up the responsibility in this part of the world.
President of Gammath Kalavader Dubai, Rajesh Kuthar compered the event. Senior Member /Artiste Girish Narayan conveyed the vote of thanks.
The programme ended with a sumptuous buffet vegetarian lunch.
Read more:
Night curfew: No relaxation for Kambala, Yakshagana events in M’luru
SAC to release book on life experience of Yakshagana artist, Sri Soorikumeru Govinda Bhat
Dubai’s Yakshagana/drama stalwart Vittal Shetty passes away in Mangaluru
St Aloysius College to conduct day-long workshop on Yakshagana
Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust helps out with daily needs of Yakshagana artistes
