Yakshagana In Europe
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YAKSHAGANA
“Yakshagana"- Myth, Music, and Movement.
Yakshagana is a vibrant traditional theatre art form of Karnataka that weaves together dance, music, dialogue, elaborate costumes, and expressive makeup to bring ancient Indian epics to life. Rooted in Sanātana culture, it draws its narratives primarily from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana, and has been performed for centuries as a night-long community experience. With its powerful storytelling, rhythmic music led by the Bhagavatha, and striking visual grammar, Yakshagana continues to thrive as a living tradition, connecting timeless values with audiences across generations and geographies.What is Yakshagana?
Yakshagana (Kannada: ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ, literally “song (gana) of the celestial beings (yaksha)”) is a traditional Indian theatre art form that blends dance, music, dialogue, theatrical performance, elaborate makeup, and vibrant costumes into a unique and dramatic experience. It is most strongly associated with the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka — especially in districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga, and even parts of Kasaragod in Kerala — and has a recorded history stretching back over five centuries.Where and How It’s Popular
Yakshagana remains immensely popular in Karnataka, performed in village fields, temple courtyards, cultural festivals, and theatre spaces from one end of the state to the other. Traditionally a night-long event that starts at dusk and continues until dawn, it captivates audiences with storytelling drawn from ancient Hindu epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana. Today, performances also take place on modern stages and in cultural festivals worldwide, introducing new audiences to this vibrant tradition.Different Names Across Regions
Across Karnataka and neighbouring regions, Yakshagana has been known by several traditional names reflecting local styles and contexts:Bayalāṭa – Literally “open theatre,” referring to outdoor performance styles.Āṭa – Simply “the play,” a term used colloquially in Tulu and Kannada. .Styles such as Badagutittu (northern style) and Thenkutittu (southern style) denote differences in movement, costume, music, and rhythm — each with its own performance traditions.Origins and Development
Yakshagana’s roots lie in a rich cultural tapestry of folk theatre, temple arts, ritual performance, and Sanskrit dramatic traditions. Evolving between the 11th and 16th centuries CE, it was influenced by devotional movements like Vaishnava Bhakti and by local performance traditions. The earliest evidence of organized Yakshagana dates to inscriptions from the 16th century, and over time it developed into a fully-formed dramatic art combining story, music, and dance.Key Elements of Yakshagana
Performance & Storytelling
A typical Yakshagana production centers on a prasanga — a narrated episode drawn from classic epics — performed with dance, expressive dialogue, and dramatic action. While scripts guide the narrative, artists often improvise lines, responding to the music, audience, and moment.Dance & Movement
The dance in Yakshagana is both expressive and athletic, integrating classical and folk steps with stylized gestures that depict characters’ emotions and intentions — from celestial beings to heroic kings and fearsome demons.Makeup & Costumes
Perhaps Yakshagana’s most iconic feature is its elaborate makeup and costumes: actors wear colour-coded face paints, towering headgear (kirita), ornate body costumes made up of handcrafted wooden materials, and jingling ankle ornaments (gejje). All together weighing up to 15 to 20 KGs.Each element visually codifies character types — heroes, villains, sages, and mythical beings — making performances a feast for the eye.Music & Instruments
Live music is at Yakshagana’s heart. The Bhagavatha (lead singer and narrator) guides the performance, supported by the himmela (musical ensemble), including instruments such as:Chende and Maddale (drums)Harmonium or drone instrumentsTaala/Jagate (metal clappers)The rhythmic beats and melodic refrains shape the tempo, mood, and dramatic tension of the show.Stage & Community
The artist makeup and costume preparation goes on in green room called "Chauki" and the Performances traditionally unfold in a rangaśthala (open stage), with a supportive ground crew handling lighting, props, and costume changes. The shared communal space between performers and audience creates an immersive cultural experience.Living Tradition — Then and Now
While deeply rooted in mythology and ancient narrative, Yakshagana artists are remarkably adept at keeping the art alive and relevant. Contemporary performers cleverly weave in current themes and social issues — from environmental concerns to modern narratives — without losing the authenticity of the Sanātana cultural ethos the art preserves. This balance of tradition and innovation ensures Yakshagana remains a living, dynamic performance tradition, cherished by both rural and urban audiences.
Yakshagana in Europe
A Growing Cultural Journey Yakshagana’s journey in Europe is a story of passion, perseverance, and cultural responsibility—carried forward by dedicated individuals and growing communities determined to keep this vibrant Indian theatre tradition alive far from its native land.
The First Steps (2018)
The modern chapter of Yakshagana in Europe began in 2018, when Ajeeth Prabhu Thallru, a trained Yakshagana artiste and teacher, initiated the first serious efforts to introduce Yakshagana on European soil. Starting with the training of one enthusiastic learner, Ajeeth followed traditional methods—bringing authentic costumes, makeup materials, music structures, and performance discipline from India, while adapting practice spaces to European conditions.This effort culminated in the first full Yakshagana prasanga performance in Europe, Babruvahana Kalaga, staged during the Karnataka Rajyotsava celebrations organized by the Rhein Main Kannada Sangha*. For many in the audience, this was their first-ever experience of Yakshagana, and the performance concluded with long-standing ovations, becoming a turning point that inspired continued efforts to take Yakshagana to wider audiences across Europe.Expansion Across Germany (2019–2020)
Following the success of the initial performance, Ajeeth trained another enthusiast, and Yakshagana performances began appearing in multiple German cities, including Cologne, Berlin, and Frankfurt. These performances were driven entirely by voluntary effort, community support, and intense personal commitment.By 2020, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group grew into a three-member performing unit, formally named Yakshamitraru Germany, founded by Ajeeth Prabhu Thallru together with Apurva Beleyur and Narendra Shenoy. Training, rehearsals, and creative discussions continued under difficult conditions, ensuring the continuity of the art form even during global shutdowns.Growing Interest & Performances (2021–2022)
By 2021, more Yakshagana enthusiasts joined from the Frankfurt region and surrounding areas. In 2022, Yakshagana was once again presented on stage—this time by a five-member group, following months of rigorous preparation, including extensive green-room efforts to manage makeup, costumes, and character transformations with limited infrastructure.These performances reaffirmed that Yakshagana could not only survive but meaningfully connect with audiences in Europe.Formal Training Begins (2023)
Responding to growing interest from families, youth, and cultural seekers across Europe, formal Yakshagana classes were launched in 2023. Training initially began in Frankfurt and Munich, using a hybrid model.By 2025, Yakshagana classes extended beyond Germany:In the Netherlands, led by Ajeeth Prabhu ThallruIn Belgium, in collaboration with Kishore MatagoduToday, Yakshagana is performed by multiple teams across Europe, with more than 15 performances annually, featuring children, youth, adults, and women performers—many of whom encountered Yakshagana for the first time in Europe.Weekly online classes conducted for 15 students from different cities across EuropeMonthly in-person training and workshops by Ajeeth Prabhu in Munich & Frankfurt (Germany), Eindhoven, (Netherlands) and Brussels (Belgium).This structure allowed learners across Europe to access authentic Yakshagana training while balancing modern lifestyles.Structured Collaboration & Continental Growth (2024)
A major milestone came in 2024, following the visit of Patla Sathish Shetty to Europe. Subsequently, Yakshadhruva Foundation – Europe Unit was formed by Ajeeth Prabhu Thallru and Narendra Shenoy, aligning Yakshagana learning in Europe with the Yakshasikshana structured training system.With this foundation, the learner base grew to 20+ active students, and Yakshagana performances expanded beyond Germany to countries such as:
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, France, and Denmark.Historic Milestones for Yakshagana in Europe
As Yakshagana firmly established itself on European soil, a series of landmark milestones were achieved—each marking a defining moment in the global history of the art form:The first-ever Yakshagana Ballet, presenting epic narratives through a newly choreographed theatrical formatThe first-ever children’s Yakshagana troupe outside India, ensuring generational continuity beyond its homelandThe world's first Yakshagana performance in the German language, opening the art form to non-Indian audiences at an unprecedented scaleEurope’s first Women’s Yakshagana ensemble, redefining participation while preserving classical performance grammarTogether, these milestones represent historic firsts beyond India, demonstrating how Yakshagana can expand in form, language, and participation without compromising its traditional structure, aesthetics, or Sanātana cultural essence.A Living Art Form in Europe
Yakshagana in Europe is no longer an occasional cultural presentation; it is a living, evolving tradition. Rooted in Sanātana values and epic narratives, yet responsive to contemporary contexts, it continues to inspire new audiences, nurture future generations, and demonstrate that classical Indian art forms can flourish globally when guided by authenticity, discipline, and collective effort
Unlock the art of Yakshagana
Embark on a cultural journey with our Yakshagana classes and workshops offered across Europe. Discover the rich traditions of this classical Indian art form, from foundational steps to intricate performances. We invite you to join our next class batches and become part of the YakshaganaInEurope family. Contact us today if you're interested in learning Yakshagana.Yakshagana classes and workshops tailored for both beginners and those with some prior experience. Our approach ensures a holistic learning experience, covering every aspect of this vibrant art form.Yakshagana Natya Basics
Ideal for those new to Yakshagana, our beginner courses cover fundamental steps, rhythmic movements, and basic expressions to build a strong foundation.
Acting, Expressions
For individuals, these classes focus on refining techniques, mastering complex dialogues, and advanced character portrayal.
Makeup workshop
Our comprehensive workshops delve into dance, acting, dialogues, expressions, traditional makeup artistry, and the elaborate costumes of Yakshagana.
Discover our upcoming yakshagana events
Discover our upcoming yakshagana events
Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Yakshagana. From grand stage performances with full details (date, place, performance name) to intimate cultural showcases, each event promises a unique narrative, stunning costumes, and powerful artistry. Browse our gallery of event posters and prepare to be enthralled. Look out for registration and booking links!
Your gateway to experience the vibrant Indian classical art form of Yakshagana Whether you're an event organiser, a school, a cultural centre, or an individual seeking something truly special, contact us to learn Yakshagana or host Yakshagana or to support Yakshagana art form. Discover how you can share this unique cultural gem with your community.