A trip to Mangalore is incomplete without watching the classic Yakshagana, an elaborate dance drama performance unique to Karnataka. A night-long event,with people adorned vibrantly, and dancing to the beat of drums. Yakshagana performance attracts thousands of people.Yakshagana is a typical folk form of drama in this region, the stylised costumes and masks are similar to that of Kathakali in Kerala. Yakshagana is a true people’s theatre commonly staged in the paddy fields at night and the themes are the same as all over India, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and mythological tales from the Puranas. In predominantly rural areas with litle or no transportation, Yakshagana enjoys immense popularity and its exponents are honoured just as great stage artistes . Despite of strong influence of movies in the city, given an oppurtunity people today also love to watch Yakshagana.
K.S. Rao Road, Mangalore- 575 001 Karnataka, Indiainfo@hotelpoonjainternational.com