Mangaluru: A video footage showing veteran Yakshagana Bhagavata (playback singer) Patla Sathish Shetty being denied permission to perform at a Yakshagana programme, has gone viral over social media.
For the first time since the monsoon vacations, six troupes (Melas) of Kateel Yakshagana delivered a performance on Friday, November 22.
During the first half of the Yakshagana programme, the playback singing of Yakshagana was performed by another Bhagavatha. When Patla came to the Yakshagana venue for his performance, it is said that the troupe convener did not allow him to perform. This led Patla to leave the venue without giving a performance. The video footage, which shows Patla returning back from the venue, has gone viral over social media. Some Yakshagana enthusiasts have opined that it is an insult not only to Patla Sathish Shetty but also to the whole Yakshagana community.
It is a known fact that Patla Sathish Shetty has been associated with the Kateel Yakshagana troupe from the past several years and, in turn, has garnered a huge fan-following. Therefore, this incident of not allowing him to perform has outraged Yakshagana lovers.
It can be recalled that there was a misunderstanding between artists and the management of the Yakshagana troupe over reshuffling of artists between the six troupes every year. When some prominent artists of the Yakshagana troupe were opposed to the management’s decision, they were all expelled from the troupe. During that time, Patla Sathish Shetty was said to be in favour of the expelled artists.
Furthermore, there were also allegations made against temple trustees over irregularities in maintaining accounts. Following this, the state government had withdrawn the power of temple trustees to manage Yakshagana troupes and organise events. When temple trustees challenged the government order in the Karnataka High Court, the HC directed the Kateel temple trustees to run the Yakshagana this year. The High Court also ordered the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner to supervise the activities of Yakshagana Mela and review the accounts for the Mela every 15 days.
