Music of Yakshagana from the Arnold Bake Collection

Yakshagana (the song of the Yaksas-the divine beings) is the traditional theatre form of Karnataka and has a history of more than four hundred years. Yakshagana is essentially a folk theatre form, but elements of classical Sanskrit dramaturgy can be discerned. Traditionally and as is seen in this selection, the stories are based on Indian mythology, particularly the great Indian epics - the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Yakshagana has been one of the most popular theatrical forms in Karnataka. In the Yakshagana performed today, two main variants are recognized. The style that is prevalent in the south of coastal Karnataka is called tenkutittu. The style that is found to the north of this region is known as badagutittu. The most prominent differences between tenku and badagu styles are in costume and dance. The singer is known as the bhagavat and is accompanied by two drums - the chende and maddale - as wells as cymbals called the jagata or tala.

Track Listing

101	Sati Shiromani Prabhavati, Part 1 n.a.	02:44
102	Sati Shiromani Prabhavati, Part 2) n.a.	01:26
103	Kichaka Vadha, Part 1 - Taruni ba ba (Come to me, young woman!) n.a.	01:56
104	Kichaka Vadha, Part 2 - Muru lokadidalla i rupa saundarya (There is no one as beautiful as you in the three worlds) Bangaru Bhat	01:06
105	Kichaka Vadha, Part 3 - Yakelo ninaginta buddhi (Why are you talking this way? Go back) Bangaru Bhat	02:44
106	Kichaka Vadha, Part 4 - Akka kellavva (Oh sister - please listen to me!) Bangaru Bhat	03:53
107	Kichaka Vadha, Part 5 - Bale kandalu Marutajana (The girl goes to meet Bhima) Bangaru Bhat	01:11
108	Kichaka Vadha, Part 6 - Pavana tanuja pidialaatana (The battle between Bhima and Kichaka) Bangaru Bhat	01:06