Mangaluru: Whatsapp, the social networking platform is often used for sending pictures and messages for fun. Though there are some which run for a cause, ‘Bhramari Yakshamitraru’ is different for a reason.
Brahmari Yakshamitraru is an organisation toiling for growth of Yakshagana, but this organisation was born as a whatsapp group in 2015 and since then it has been working for the growth of Yakshagana art form in a big way. Initially, photo-journalist and Yakshagana enthusiast Vinay Krishna Kurnadu formed this group under the name of ‘Yakshamithraru’. Later, he took the suggestion of his friend Sathish Manjeshwar, who is also a Yakshagana enthusiast working for a media house as a senior manager in marketing section made the group little stronger. After many Yakshagana enthusiasts joined together, they changed the group’s name as ‘Bhramari Yakshamithraru’, after Kateel Goddess Durgaparameshwari.
‘Wishes’ are prohibited here
It is very common that members in the groups send morning wishes or wishes on auspicious days and occasion. But, in this group such wishes are strictly not allowed. Here, discussions on Yakshagana art is allowed and the forum cannot be used for any other purpose.
At present, there are 218 members in the group including, journalists, doctors, engineers, businessmen, government officials, professional and amateur Yakshagana artists among others. Only those individuals who are passionate about the art, irrespective of their professional background can be added here by the admins.
Yakshamani Award
The group has been organising a free Yakshgana programme and presenting Yakshamani award to deserving Yakshagana artiste once a year. Meanwhile, the group identifies retired artists of Yakshagana and honours them. This year the group is organising its fourth edition of Yakshgana programme and presenting Yakshamani award to a Yakshagana playback singer (Bhagavatha) Parekodi Ganapathi Bhat at Town Hall on September 14. The Yakshamani award consists cash award of Rs 10,000, silver medal and a citation. Krishna Poojary and Narayana Purusha who assist Yakshagana artists in green-room will also honoured be on the same occasion. After the awarding ceremony, three Yakshagana programmes- ‘Choodamani’, ‘Ramanjaneya’ and ‘Draupadi Prathapa’ will be staged. Veteran Yakshagana artists will perform here.
Yakshamani award was already presented to veteran Yakshagana artists like Sampaje Sheenappa Rai, Ganesh Kolekady and Mijar Mohan Shettigar in the previous years.
Vinay Krishna Kurnadu, admin of the group told Newskarnataka.com that they spend around Rs 3 lakh for the annual Yakshagana programme and for the presenting Yakshamani award. “Most of the expenditure is incurred by our members only. We also take the help of some donors as the contribution of members alone is not adequate to meet the whole expenditure,” he said.
Sathish Manjeshwar, another admin of the group said that the main intention of the group was to respect Yakshagana and its artistes. “Yakshagana should attain a high position among all arts and its artists should lead a happy life. As some artists are still leading a miserable life, we want to extend our helping hand to them through these activities”, he adds.
