Mangaluru
In a bid to popularise Yakshagana, the traditional art form of Karnataka, the department of posts in association with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) will release a commemorative postage stamp on the theme Yakshagana, at a programme to be held at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall here at 10 am on February 25.
Yakshadhruva Yaksha Shikshana Yojane convener Sarapadi Ashok Shetty told media persons that Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel will preside over the programme while Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, S Rajendra Kumar will release the stamp.
The department of posts has agreed to launch a stamp on Yakshagana following the efforts of MP Kateel. The postal stamp with the face value of Rs. 5 will be released as part of the programme, he said.
Well known Thenkuthittu Yakshagana artistes under the leadership of Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Trust Founder President Patla Sathish Shetty will present a Yakshagana titled Lokabhirama, written by Bottikere Purushotham Poonja after the programme, he said.
Shetty said the govenment should implement a scheme to sanction allowance for Yakshagana artistes. There are around 2,500 professional Yakshagana artistes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. There will be around 10,000 artistes in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Kasaragod district of Kerala. Those artistes need proper encouragement and support from the government, he said.
He also expressed concern over the government failing to fill the post of chairman for Karnataka Yakshagana Academy. Steps should be taken to appoint the Chairman at the earliest, he added.
