Mysore/Mysuru: Yakshagana Academy member Diwakar Hegde has called upon  art exponents to educate students on the values of Yakshagana.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Yakshagana Natya’ classes organised jointly by Karavali Yakshagana Kendra and Karnataka Yakshagana Academy at Srikrishnadhama in Saraswathipuram here recently.

Noting that Mysuru-based Karavali Yakshagana Kendra has been educating students on the values and spirit of Yakshagana, Diwakar Hegde said that Yakshagana, which is known as a representative art in Karnataka, flows in our blood.

Stating that Yakshagana is the most ‘Atmanirbhar’ art, he called upon  all Yakshagana lovers to make children more educated in this form of the art.

Yakshagana exponent G.S. Bhat said that there is a very close bonding between Mysuru and Yakshagana, considered as a coastal art. 

Recalling the erstwhile Mysore Maharajas’ love for Yakshagana, he said that Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar who was a great lover of Yakshagana used to organise plays by Yakshagana artistes from Dharmasthala.

Noting that he has been living in Mysuru for 50 years, Bhat said that two Yakshagana plays are being performed every year in Mysuru. Asserting that Yakshagana plays a key role in students developing ‘Samskara’, he highlighted that it is important to make students develop keen interest towards the art at a young age.

Yakshagana Kendra’s Manoj Bhat and others were present.