The Yakshagana Prasanga was penned by veteran author and playwright Mulia Keshavaiah in the 1970s and has 200 verses
A revised version of the first yakshagana prasanga (episode) on Jesus Christ — Maha Chetana Yesukrista Mahatme — which had been criticised by some Hindutva groups that Yakshagana was being used to propagate Christianity was released at a function in Mangaluru on May 26.
Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangaluru, who released the prasanga, said that fine arts have the capacity to unite people. Art forms, including Yakshagana, were beyond the boundaries of religion, caste and language.
Just a week before, right wing activists opposing the performance alleging on various social media platforms including Facebook and WhatsApp, alleging that the performance is a tactic to convert Hindus to Christiantiy. Many even called the Prasanga on the life of Jesus Christ an insult to Tulu tradition.. Among others, a Facebook page displayed hashtags such as #HurtingTuluvaSentiments, #ItsOurCulture, etc.
The Yakshagana Prasanga "Maha Chethana – Yesu Christa Mahathme" was penned by veteran author and playwright Mulia Keshavaiah. Honey Cabral, secretary, Karnataka Christian Education Society, said that when the prasanga was first released in 1976 there was curiosity among people how the character of Satan would be showcased. But when the first show was staged in Shanti Nilaya all appreciated it.
Anandarama Upadhya, a well known critic, said that the prasanga had all the ‘rasas’. Yakshagana literature was yet to receive the recognition it deserved. Raghu Muliya, son of Mr. Keshavaiah, said that the new version has commentaries for 200 songs in the original script. The script has been translated into English and German in 1977-78.
M Prabhakar Joshi, 75, a former Yakshagana artiste said, "The work has already seen more than 100 performances over the years. Those who speak ill about it, and are trying to attribute motives to it are not real art lovers." Joshi has, in fact, performed in a performance based on Mahachethana-Yesu Christa Mahathme. "Fundamentalists want to create tension, in order to convey a wrong message about art, which cuts across religion, country and race," he added.
K Chinappa Gowda, an expert on folklore, pointed out that, if Yakshagana was identified with the Hindu religion, why would it be staged in Germany, Japan and other countries where other religions were practiced widely. "In the Prasanga, Bappanadu Kshethra Mahathme, a Muslim role Bappa Byari is depicted. But nobody has ever questioned that so far, because Yakshagana is not about any religion," Gowda added.
K Chinappa Gowda, an expert on folklore and former vice-chancellor of the Karnataka Janapada University, who has researched Yakshagana and other art forms of Tulunadu, said art spoke of 'human religion'. "Why create an unnecessary issue over this Prasanga now? The art is not just related to any caste or religion such as Hindu, Christian or Muslim. It is for all. This Prasanga has been staged several times. Yakshagana has become a global art form," he added.
He pointed out that, if Yakshagana was identified with the Hindu religion, why would it be staged in Germany, Japan and other countries where other religions were practiced widely. "In the Prasanga, Bappanadu Kshethra Mahathme, a Muslim role Bappa Byari is depicted. But nobody has ever questioned that so far, because Yakshagana is not about any religion," Gowda added.