Yaksha Gaan: This folk dance of Karnataka about Puranas and Kavya will leave you enthralled
Updated: February 9, 2016 16:48 IST
Updated : February 9, 2016 16:48 IST
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Lucknowi's were in for a treat when artists from Karnataka presented Yaksha Gaan, a folk theater form that combines dance, music, dialogue and costume at the Sanatkada Festival. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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This dance style is mainly found in the coastal districts and the Malenadu region of Karnataka. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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Traditionally, a Yaksha Gaan performance starts at dusk and ends at dawn. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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The term Yaksha Gaan is derived from the words Yaksha which means spirits and Gaan which means song. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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The dance form is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theater during the days of the Bhakti movement. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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A typical Yaksha Gaan performance consists of background music played by the himmela (a group of musicians) and the mummela (a dance and dialog group). (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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Together, they enact poetic epics onstage. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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The music is based on ragas and are characterised by rhythmic patterns called mattu and tala. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)
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A performance usually depicts a story from the Kavya (poems) and the Puranas (ancient Hindu texts). (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)