Yakshagana Melas Resume Daily Tours: Big Relief For The Artists

Yakshagana Melas Resume Daily Tours: Big Relief For The Artists

December 10: Yakshagana artists who were hit hard by thecovid 19 pandemic are relieved to some extent as melas (touring troupes) in the coastal and Malnad belts have resumed their daily tours in a phased manner. The regions have over 40 touring troupes which provide direct employment to about 2,000 persons and indirect employment to many when the melas tour from December to May.
All the artists have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing at regular intervals and should desist from mixing freely with outsiders. Thermal screening is highly impractical in a field drama or outdoor theatrical performance. However, if an artist has any flu-like symptoms he should get himself tested at the earliest. The ‘chowki’ (green room) needed some structural change where people should avoid crowding in the ‘chowki’ and make-up artists will have to maintain 2m distance. Outsiders should compulsorily wear mask while entering the ‘chowki’.
Century-old melas, like Kateel, Mandarthi, and Dharmasthala, are attached to famous temples and are sponsored as ‘harake bayalatas’ (sponsoring a show for the fulfillment of a vow where audience need not purchase any ticket to see a show) whereas other melas are likely to face sponsorship issues this year.