MANGALURU: Disappointment looms over Yakshagana artistes in Dakshina Kannada district as organisers of Yakshagana events need to sign an undertaking addressed to concerned Returning Officer that the programme they conduct has no political gains in view of election model code of conduct.
They are afraid of losing out on the opportunity of performing in temples like Kateel and Mandarthi which draws a huge number of the audience during the Yakshagana season from November to the third week of May.The circular asking for an undertaking hurts people’s religious sentiments, said Satish Patla Shetty, Yakshagana Bhagavatha of Thenku Thittu School.
Yakshagana critic Prof Prabhakar Joshi said it was the first time the district has had to comply with such a rule. “It is unfeasible and unnecessary. There is absolutely no instance of political leanings in Yakshagana performances,” he said. Udupi district administration has asked organisers to seek permission for the performances. This turns out to be a setback for many troupes that set their performance dates months before the code of conduct was enforced. There are audience coming in from abroad too, said Patla.