Mangalore (Karnataka): 82-year-old Govind Bhat, still looks like a young and energetic man when he arrives at the Rangastala (stage) to perform Yakshagana. He is called the 'Kalasha' of the Yakshagana by the people and he performs the 'Kunitha'( Dance form of Yakshagana) as an effervescent young man even at the ripe old age of 82.
Yakshagana is a traditional Indian theatre form. Developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, it is a very popular folk art of Karnataka. Many artistes have built their careers practising this art form. One of the main attractions of Yakshagana is the attire the artistes' don.
Experts of Yakshagana says artistes will automatically make "Kunitha" once they wear the attire and Rangasthala is the place where they can get rejuvenation
Govinda Bhat began his Yakshagana career at the age of 11 and still performs the art at the age of 82. He has worked in Dharmasthala Yakshagana Mela (Troup) for 50 years consecutively. It is a record of sorts as no other artiste has stayed in a single mela for 50 years.
Bhat is famous for enacting roles of Rakthabeeja, Eshwara, Gajamani, Arjuna, Bheeshma, Parashurama, Keechaka, Ambe, Shoorpanaki, Rama, Vaali and many others. He has written eight new Yakshagana 'Prasangas'( Stories) and has been honoured with hundreds of awards including the Rajyotsava Award.
People from Mangalore regularly attend the Yakshagana to see Govind Bhat perform. He is popularly known as 'Yaksharangada Bheeshma' and 'Kala Koushika'.
Bhat has taught Yakshagana to more than 1000 artistes in his career along with performing. According to Yakshagana aficionados, the finest thing about him is that he never differentiates between junior and senior artistes.
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