Karnataka's Living
Heritage
A thrilling celebration of dance, music, dialogue,makeup,costumes and tradition,unboxing through the strength, beauty and artistry by women artists
What is Yakshagana?
Yakshagana is the most famous performing art form of Coastal Karnataka. In the concept of Yakshagana there is theatre, dance, music, dialogue, makeup, costumes, décor, and all are harmoniously blended. Here’s what makes Yakshagana distinctive:
Themes: It usually depicts stories and epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata, and Devi Puranas. Performance style: Actors perform with energetic dance movements, dramatic expressions, and improvised dialogues.
Costumes and makeup: Performers wear elaborate, colourful costumes and headgear, with facial makeup that represents different characters. Music: A live orchestra accompanies the performance, using instruments like chende (drum) and maddale, along with a Bhagavatha (singer) who narrates the story. Yakshagana contains many elements of theatre art which are inherently great. Its gorgeous costumes create a wonderful world of fantasy at first sight. Music and songs are capable of invoking the most delicate as well as vigorous emotions. The virility and vigour of the dance steps and choreography are both imaginative and expressive. Dialogue extempore thrills the audience and conveys the rudiments of Indian Culture. Today, Yakshagana bridges the generations while preserving India's rich cultural heritage.
"Preserving the ancient stories through movement, music, and makeup — one performance at a time."
About KMY
Karnataka Mahila Yakshagana is a pioneering women-led cultural association dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and development of the traditional performing art form of Yakshagana for the past 27 years. As the first Mahila Yakshagana troupe in Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, the organisation has played a significant role in empowering women artists while safeguarding Karnataka’s rich cultural heritage.
An Epic of Art, Culture & Expression
Yakshagana — where stories are not told, they are performed.
Honours & Recognitions
"For outstanding contribution to the preservation of traditional coastal theatre arts."
"Dedicated service to the yakshagana art"
"Awarded for excellence in traditional performance"