Yakshgana

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Yakshgana, that is, the music and songs yakshas, is a style of Indian drama. It is believed to have originated in early 16th century in South Kanara district of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is performed by a caste of all male members, consisting of around twenty actors and musicians. In this respect it is like Kathakali, which is also performed by males only. The performers draw stories from a variety of sources, but generally the episodes are drawn from the Mahabharata, one of the two most well known epics of the Hindus, the other being the Ramayana.

Any covered place or structure is not required for performance of Yakshgana, and performance generally takes place in the open air. It continues through the night. However, the actors and the musicians performing it have exotic and spectacular costumes, with tall headgears, a lot of makeup and wearing of a variety of ornaments.

The performance is organized on special occasions at the behest of one or more persons. Such occasions may include construction of a new house, thanksgiving, birth of children, anniversaries.