Mangaluru: A dedicated Yakshagana team was launched in the Netherlands on Sunday, marking a significant growth of the traditional art form in Europe. The initiative took shape during ‘Yaksha Natya Vaibhava’, organised by Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation Europe in association with Shrigandha Holland Kannada Balaga Eindhoven and Shankara Dans Akademie at the Kerkplein Theatre in Son en Breugel. The event drew a houseful audience of over 200 art lovers.Yakshagana Guru Ajeeth Prabhu said that last year Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation, Europe, in collaboration with Shrigandha Holland Kannada Balaga Eindhoven, launched Yakshagana training classes under my guidance. With unwavering dedication, passion, and regular training over the past year, seven artistes from the Netherlands and three others from Germany transformed from enthusiastic learners into confident performers, he said.Their debut presentation of the Badagu Tittu Yakshagana was ‘Vidhi – Chandrahasa Charitre’. The programme was inaugurated by guests representing Utrecht Kannada Sangha, Shrigandha Holland Kannada Balaga, and Shankara Dans Akademie. The evening commenced with an Bharatanatyam recital by Shankara Dans Akademie. The Yakshagana programme began with the traditional Poorvaranga, where young artistes Shriansh Bhat and Shriya Bhat from Düsseldorf captivated the audience with the graceful Balagopala dance. This was followed by a presentation of Peetike Stree Vesha by Pradyumna Prabhu and Shreemayi Devji, creating an authentic and vibrant Yakshagana atmosphere before the main performance. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of ‘Vidhi – Chandrahasa Charitre’, for nearly two hours, the performance held the audience spellbound with its vibrant costumes, expressive acting, rhythmic dance, and powerful storytelling.The cast featured Usha Adiga, Chaithra Reetesh, Reetesh Handly, Veeksha Handly, Spoorthi Sreenivas, Niveditha Patil, Nandhan Bangalore, along with Yakshagana Guru Ajeeth Prabhu, who brought the timeless epic to life using professionally recorded background music, preserving the traditional flavour while making the production accessible to audiences in Europe.
