YAKSHAGANA THALA MADDALE

Yakshagana is a art form in Karnataka and Kasaragod District.In Yakshagana Thala Maddala there is no dress for artists.They sit around and deliver dialoges.Background is same as Yakshagana.One Bhagavathar,who sing ‘’padas’’ just like in Kathakali with a thala in his hand.One Maddala artist.’’Maddala’’ is an instrument identical in appearance to ‘’Mridanga’’ with slight changes in make.Then of course ‘’Chenda’’,’’Harmonium’’,and ‘’Chengala’’.In Thala Maddala small stories are narrated which extend upto three hours.The artists sit around and deliver dialogs for their charectors.There will be funny exchange of words befitting to the situation. Story is not just narrated here but the actors go deep into the characters to display the minute part and they engage in serious arguments. The audience listen to it carefully and they encourage the artists with applause. The actors are often big scholars and they use their wast knowledge to make a strong point of their charectors.Often the unsung heroes of puranas are depicted wonderfully and they make a strong mark on the audience. I remember how well Sri Kumble Sunda Rao presented Karna,Bharatha ,Sudhanva,Dhruva.After hearing from them we feel for the charectors.I still remember Karna ,asking Sree Krishna why he did not bring to his notice that Pandavas were his brothers earlier.(We know that Sree Krishna now it and even Karna encouraged Droupathi Vastrakshepa).We feel pity for the charector.Because even the minute part of the story will be analised and argued against and for.This is a wonder full way of spreading the messages of Puranas and Shatras.But unfortunately,the art has lost its familiarity among the people just like other arts.The Thalamaddle gets of with a prayer of goddess.”AMBURUHUDALA NETHRE SREE DURGAMBIKAYA BALAKONDU”.Ends with a mangala Pada’’KARADOLU PARASU PASHANKUSHA DHARAGE HARUSHDEE BAKUTHARA POREWAWAKE’’.Some of the great artists are Sheni GopalaKrishana Bhat,Kumble Sundar Rao,Prabhakar Joshi,Perla Krishna Bhat,Govinda Bhat,Kumble Sreedhar Rao etc.May this art survive for the sake of art and for the sake of rich Indian Culture.