On June 14, Dr. K.Krishna Kulal, a representative of Kukkehalli Swami Koragajja Divasthan, announced the launch of a new Badagutittu Yakshagana Mela, called ‘Adi Maye Mukambika Swami Koragajja Kripaposhit Yakshagana Mandari’, in Udupi. This new mela will commence its tour from the second week of November this year. Dr. Kulal made this announcement at a press conference held at the Udupi Press Club. The Kukkehalli Swami Koragajja Kshetra, located in Kukkehalli Iswarnagar, has a rich history spanning about 200 years and was renovated and re-established in 2019. Over the past seven years, the kshetra has attracted lakhs of devotees who have offered their prayers, transforming it into a center of faith. A Chikkamela was started in 2004, as per the order of Adi Maye Mukambika Devi and Swami Koragajja, and now, two Chikkamelas will be held in 2025, and three from this year onwards. The new mela will feature a blend of experienced Yakshagana artistes from Badagutittu and Tenkuthittu. Dr. Kulal informed that the mela will showcase mythological and social story episodes, along with episodes highlighting the glory of the kshetra, with skilled and experienced artistes, new costumes, attractive staging, and famous background music. The mela will have 33 artists and staff members and will perform 180 games from November until the monsoon starts. The games will be played from 7 pm to 1:30 am, and the mela is open to all. Dr. Kulal also announced that they will present an innovative new episode of ‘Vaibhava Suryavanshi’ written by Devdas Ishwara Mangala. He appealed to devotees and Yakshagana art lovers to organize mela performances in their towns and support the artists. The press conference was attended by Mela writer and comedian Arunkumar Jarkala, participants RD Santhosh Kumar, Maddale artist Sasikumar Acharya Belkale, and Devdas Ishwara Mangala.
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📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi