Yakshagana Artists on Why They Don’t Want to Mix Politics With Art

Yakshagana artists on why the new trend of lampooning politicians through the art form is not a good idea.

Yakshagana artists from coastal Karnataka talk about why it’s bad to mix art and politics, in light of the Lok Sabha elections.

(Photo: The Quint)

Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Deve Gowda. Why should these names enter Yakshagana? That is wrong.

Balakrishna R Anchan, Yakshagana director

Yakshagana originated in the 11th century in coastal Karnataka as a form of entertainment for rural audiences. After a long day’s work, folks would gather under a tree or even in the middle of a field and enjoy the ‘living theatre’.

Based mainly on tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas, the characters were from epics, playing out an oft-repeated story. The performance, which comprised dance, drama, music and dance, was meant to entertain and educate.

Yakshagana is something that has come out of our most treasured traditions. The way school kids are taught lessons, the same way, everyone in this area, has seen and experienced Yakshagana from a young age.

Tukkaram Gowda

Don’t Mix Politics and Art

Today, with the advent of social media and the changing tastes of the younger generations, Yakshagana has also evolved to encapsulate more today than what it originally set out to do.

“Fictionalised stories, daily life lessons, tales of trials and tribulations that don’t necessarily belong within our holy books, also found their way into performance. But with a positive message, the intent was always to educate the people,” says Anchan.

A clip of a Yakshagana performance, supposedly lampooning the CM and his son, has gone viral on social media, even drawing the attention of the Election Commission, in light of the polls. However, artists believe that it was best if Yakshagana discontinued its tryst with political commentary.

Diwakar Das, Yakshagana performer and teacher, said that the change had to come from the actors.

“People of all political affiliations go to watch a performance. It is a place where people come together. Instead, if the artist chooses to bring his own politics in the picture, it is not good for anyone. It can also lead to fights and disagreements, as it has in the past,” he said.

Actors must understand that it is possible to give a good performance and impress the audiences without bringing in politics. If actors are able to do this, the election officials will have no reason to object to their performances.

Diwakar Das