In search of Yakshagan through it's roots following the moon light path is a wonderful experience.
I remember during my childhood days when my grandpa would take me to the place where Yakshagana would happen. We would wade along paddy fields, deep under the trees crossing the stream and bridge all by following the moon light. My grandpa would buy me sweets. I would sit besides him and watch it. He would narrate stories of Mahabaratha and Ramayana which were mostly depicted in Yakshagana. I would fall a sleep in the chair . My grandpa would drop me back home and he would continue watching it till the dawn breaks in. I would enjoy the costumes, dance , the conversation. Bhagawath would narrate the story and he would be in conversation with the characters. The loud music from maddale , chande and the raagas from harmonium and pungi would mesmerizing. I would go back stage and see them getting make up. It’s after many years that I traced back and went in search of Yaksagana performance. This time not by following the lights but with modern torch and being aware that there could be snakes while walking. I directly went backstage to get photos during make up. I could see how they wear the costume and how they would make-up. I followed till few chapters. Then the program went on and I walked a long way back home to accomplish an amazing program which I watched with my grandpa.
