Twenty young people, including three girls, from North India underwent a one-month free training at a workshop on the basics of Yakshagana at Shrimaya Yakshagana Kalakendra, the Yakshagana training centre of Sri Idagunji Mahaganapathi Yakshagana Mandali of Keremane, at Gunavanthe village, last month. The trainees also learnt about Yakshagana music with dance movements.

Satyam Singh, a young actor from Delhi said, it fascinating that a male artist can perform a female role in Yakshagana, without letting the facade slip. Alok Mishra from Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, said he found artists wearing their elaborate make-up and costume on their own very unique. Muskan Gupta from Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, said this was her first ever trip to southern India and she wanted to practically experience Yakshagana rather than merely studying the theory. Ayesha Yadav from Varanasi said that facial expressions and dance movements of Yakshagana could be adapted in theatre performances anywhere.

Keremane Shivananda Hegde, the grandson of the late Shivarama Hegde and an accomplished Yakshagana artist said that enthusiasts from outside Karnataka had been coming to the kalakendra to learn Yakshagana for the past three decades since 1992. The mandali, which has been maintaining a fine balance between tradition and innovation, is also known for maintaining purity in tradition and perfection in its performances. The training is free for all since the inception of the mandali. The students are also hosted free for the duration of the training.