Yakshagana Puppetry

Visit: Mudiyakkal Bridge, Podipalam-Palakunnu Rd, Thiruvakkoli, Pallikkara II, Kerala 671318, India

Yakshagana is a traditional Indian theatre form, developed in Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theater during the period of the Bhakti movement. It is sometimes simply called "the play" in Tulu Language. Yakshagana is strongly influenced by the Vaishnava Bhakti movement. This theatre style is mainly found in most parts of Karnataka in various forms. Yakshagana is traditionally presented from dusk to dawn. Its stories are drawn from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata and other epics from both Hindu and Jain and other ancient Indic traditions