Udupi: The president and members of the Karnataka Yakshagana Academy have appealed to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to officially recognise Yakshagana as the ‘State Art of Karnataka’, citing its cultural significance, long history and contribution to the state’s artistic heritage.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Academy said formal recognition would provide greater impetus to the preservation, promotion and comprehensive development of Yakshagana, particularly as the traditional theatre form continues to remain closely associated with the cultural life of coastal Karnataka.
Karnataka Tourism describes Yakshagana as a distinctive traditional performance form of coastal Karnataka that combines dance, music, singing, dialogue, elaborate costumes and storytelling.
Academy seeks official recognition
The Academy said Yakshagana has several characteristics that make it eligible for recognition as Karnataka’s state art.
According to the appeal, the art form has evolved over centuries and has remained an important part of the cultural and social life of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
The Academy has urged the state government to accord Yakshagana official state-art status and introduce special measures for its preservation and development.
The appeal has come at a time when Yakshagana continues to be performed across coastal Karnataka and is also promoted as part of the state’s cultural tourism offerings.
A combination of music, dance and theatre
Yakshagana is not confined to a single artistic discipline. It brings together narration and singing by the Bhagavatha, music, dialogue, acting, dance, elaborate costumes, face painting and stagecraft.
Karnataka Tourism describes it as a combination of dance, music, song and scholarly dialogue, with performances traditionally featuring striking costumes and elaborate makeup.
The Academy said Yakshagana has broadly evolved in two forms — Padavalapaya and Moodalapaya. Padavalapaya includes the Thenku, Badagu and Badabadagu styles.
The Academy also highlighted Yakshagana’s role in preserving and promoting Kannada language and culture through its performances and literary traditions.
Thousands involved in the tradition
The Academy said more than 15,000 professional artists have dedicated themselves to Yakshagana, while thousands of amateur artists are also associated with the tradition.
It further stated that there are more than 100 Yakshagana troupes and over 10,000 compositions associated with the art form, along with more than one million songs.
The Academy also pointed to the academic interest surrounding Yakshagana, saying more than 50 PhD-level studies have been undertaken on Moodalapaya and Padavalapaya, apart from M.Phil-level research.
These figures, it said, demonstrate that Yakshagana is not merely a performing art but also a subject of sustained academic and cultural study.
More than entertainment
The Academy described Yakshagana as a cultural medium that brings together music, literature, dance, acting and visual arts on a common stage.
It said the performances also communicate cultural traditions and human values, giving the art form a role beyond entertainment.
The Academy argued that recognition and institutional support would help ensure that the knowledge and skills associated with Yakshagana are passed on to future generations.
Karnataka Tourism similarly identifies Yakshagana as an important traditional art form and a prominent part of the cultural identity of coastal Karnataka.
Livelihoods linked to Yakshagana
The Academy also highlighted the economic ecosystem surrounding Yakshagana.
A performance involves not only the artists and Bhagavathas but also instrumentalists, costume makers, makeup artists, stage crews, sound and lighting technicians, organisers, transport workers and several other support personnel.
According to the Academy, preserving Yakshagana would therefore also mean supporting the livelihoods of people who depend directly or indirectly on performances and related activities.
It said stronger institutional support could contribute to the continued sustainability of this wider network.
Cultural tourism potential
Yakshagana has also become an important attraction for visitors to coastal Karnataka.
The Karnataka Tourism Department currently promotes Yakshagana as a vibrant folk theatre form that combines dance, music, elaborate costumes and storytelling, and features it among the state’s cultural attractions.
Performances are particularly associated with coastal districts, where the tradition continues to form part of temple festivals and community cultural life.
The Academy said giving Yakshagana state-art status could further strengthen its cultural tourism potential while encouraging systematic preservation and promotion.
Academy cites recognition in other states
In its appeal, the Academy referred to traditional art forms that have received official recognition in other states, including Kathakali and Mohiniyattam in Kerala, Lavani in Maharashtra and Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh.
“Considering all these aspects, Yakshagana possesses all the qualifications to be recognised as the State Art of Karnataka,” Academy president Dr Tallur Shivarama Shetty and its members said in their appeal.
They urged the state government to formally declare Yakshagana as Karnataka’s official state art and take special measures for its comprehensive development.
The proposal now places the question of formal state recognition before the Karnataka government, while Yakshagana continues to occupy a prominent place in the state’s cultural and tourism landscape.