Mangaluru: The renowned Durgaparameshwari Prasadita Dashavatara Yakshagana Mandali of Kateel in Dakshina Kannada district, one of the oldest and most revered Yakshagana troupes in coastal Karnataka, will launch its seventh performing troupe on November 16.
All seven troupes of the celebrated Kateel Yakshagana mela will commence their ‘tirugata’ (annual tour) for the 2025–26 season on the same day, marking a significant expansion in the tradition of devotional theatre linked to the Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple.
Seventh troupe to meet growing ‘harake’ demand
According to Harinarayanadasa Asrana, hereditary archak of the temple and a key figure in the management of the mela, the addition of the seventh troupe comes as a response to the growing demand for ‘harake’ Yakshagana performances — shows sponsored by devotees as offerings to the deity in fulfilment of vows.
“The ‘harake’ Yakshagana shows are booked for the next 15 years, and the list keeps growing every year. The new troupe will help us clear the pending commitments to devotees,” Asrana said.
He added that while there are no official records pinpointing the exact founding year of the mela, the second troupe was formed in 1975, followed by additional troupes in 1982, 1993, 2010, and 2013, bringing the total to six before this year’s expansion.
158-year-old Yakshagana tradition
Uppangala Shankaranarayana Bhat, a noted researcher and author of Tenkanada Yakshagana, said that historical documents trace the origin of the Kateel mela to 1867, making it 158 years old.
“The Kateel mela represents the enduring legacy of the Yakshagana art form in southern Karnataka. Its unique connection to the Durga Parameshwari Temple has helped preserve the devotional spirit of this traditional theatre,” Bhat said.
Over 1,200 shows every season
Each troupe of the Kateel mela performs an average of 180 shows between December and May, totalling around 1,260 shows across all seven troupes annually.
Of these, about half are permanent shows performed at fixed venues with collective sponsorship from devotees, while the rest are ‘harake’ performances. Most devotees prefer the troupe to enact the ‘Devi Mahatme’ episode, a popular story celebrating the goddess’s power.
The mela’s workforce includes nearly 400 individuals, encompassing artistes, technicians, helpers, drivers, and electricians. Each performance, typically held from 6 p.m. to midnight, combines drama, dance, and music rooted in devotional storytelling.
Week-long events ahead of the new troupe’s launch
In the run-up to the official launch of the seventh troupe, a week-long series of events has been planned at Kateel:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 9 | Convention of permanent Yakshagana hosts |
| Nov 10 | Workshop to record the mela’s history |
| Nov 11 | Convention of social media influencers who live-stream and promote Yakshagana performances |
| Nov 12 | Meeting of readers and writers of Yakshaprabha, a Yakshagana-dedicated magazine |
| Nov 13 | Convention of artistes from all seven troupes |
The final preparations for the launch are underway, with temple authorities expecting large crowds of devotees, researchers, and Yakshagana enthusiasts to attend.
Preserving a cultural legacy
The Kateel Yakshagana mela, deeply intertwined with temple culture and community devotion, continues to stand as a symbol of Karnataka’s living heritage. The expansion to a seventh troupe reflects not only the art form’s enduring popularity but also the deep-rooted faith that sustains it.