Yakshagana fest from tomorrow

: The 'Yaksha Gayana Vaadana Vaibhava,' a five-day festival of 'Yakshagana' would begin at Moodbidri near here tomorrow.
Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form, popular in Dakshina Kannada region and northern Kerala, that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up and stage techniques in a unique style.
For the first time, modern musical instruments like guitar, flute, violin, tavil and 'naadaswara' would be used in the event along with traditional Yakshagana instruments to enthrall the audience, M Devananda Bhat, executive president of the Beluvai-based Yakshadeva Mitra Kalamandali, the organisers of the event, said in a release here.
Yakshagana performance is traditionally accompanied by harmonium and percussion instruments like chende, maddale and chakratala.

The event would be the 18th annual Yakshagana programme being organised by the Beluvai Kakamandali. Veteran artistes from various parts of the state would take part in the event, the release said.