Mangaluru: The coastal cultural sector is reeling under the impact of restrictions on the use of loudspeakers at night, with theatre, Yakshagana, and fair organisers claiming that programmes are being disrupted midway by police. In response, a public awarenes s meeting will be held on September 9 at Gorakshanath Hall in Kadri, announced Yakshagana Bhagavata Patla Satish Shetty.
Artists say tradition under threat
At a press conference held at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad office, Shetty said that Yakshagana, drama, and theatre have thrived in the coastal belt for centuries, but the ban on loudspeakers after 10 pm has created a crisis.
“Nowadays, there is no situation to hold a programme without a loudspeaker. Due to this policy, not only artists but also people dependent on sound, lights, shamiana rentals, and allied trades are in deep trouble,” Shetty said.
Impact on rituals and festivals
The restriction, imposed by the state government in 2022 prohibiting loudspeaker use between 10 pm and 6 am, has begun affecting not just plays and Yakshagana but also rituals such as Kola and Devar Bali which precede cultural performances.
“With the festival and Yakshagana season set to begin after October, the problem will only deepen. That is why we are holding this meeting to draw the government’s attention,” Shetty explained.
Protest without confrontation
When asked whether the associations plan to legally challenge the ban, Shetty clarified that the September 9 gathering is meant to spread awareness and gather opinion. “We are not taking to the streets yet. Naddu is holding a public awareness meeting, and a decision will be taken afterwards,” he said.
United front from cultural community
The awareness event is being supported by a wide range of stakeholders including drama and Yakshagana artists, sound and music providers, shamiana contractors, and other allied sectors. Leaders from the VHP, including Sharan Pampail and Purushottam, joined office bearers of multiple cultural associations at the press conference to express solidarity.
Conclusion
With traditional performances heavily dependent on amplified sound, coastal Karnataka’s cultural workers fear that the night ban could permanently damage the ecosystem that sustains them. The September 9 meeting in Kadri will be watched closely as the first organised effort by the artistic community to seek relief from the restrictions.