Mangaluru: The P. Dayanand Pai and P. Satish Pai Yakshagana Adhyayana Kendra of Mangalore University will organise a symposium on ‘Yakshagana Chowki: Shape and Features’ at the Swastika Waterfront Auditorium in Sultan Bathery on Wednesday, August 5, beginning at 10 am.
The symposium aims to explore the significance, evolution and unique characteristics of the Yakshagana chowki, the traditional green room where artistes prepare before performances.
Experts to deliver keynote addresses
Renowned Yakshagana scholar Raghav Nambiyar will inaugurate the symposium and deliver the keynote address on the nature, structure and cultural significance of the Yakshagana chowki.
Senior Yakshagana artiste Diwan Shivashankar Bhat will speak on the heritage of the traditional chowki and its relevance in contemporary Yakshagana performances.
Artist Ravishankar Valakunja will present a talk highlighting the distinctive and lesser-known aspects of the Yakshagana chowki and its role in preserving the traditional performance culture.
Panel discussion with researchers
The symposium will also feature a panel discussion involving researchers and experts in the field of Yakshagana studies.
The session will be chaired by artist Prithviraj Kavatthar, providing a platform for discussions on the historical, cultural and artistic dimensions of the traditional preparation space used by Yakshagana performers.
Jointly organised with business school
According to a release issued by the organisers, the symposium is being held in association with Swastika National Business School, Mangaluru.
The event is expected to bring together Yakshagana scholars, artistes, researchers, students and enthusiasts to exchange ideas on one of the important yet less-explored aspects of the traditional theatre form.