Tala-Maddale

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Tala-Maddale is an ancient form of art from coastal and malnad regions of Karnataka and northern Kerala state of India. It is very popular in Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Shimoga districts of Karnataka and Kasargod district of Kerala. It is a derived form of Yakshagana—a classical dance or musical form of art from the same region.

A typical Tala-Maddale show consists of veteran artists sitting in a circular fashion along with a Bhagavata (the singer, with "Tala" or pair of small hand cymbals) and a "Maddale" (a type of drum) player. Artists assume the roles of characters in stories, typically, from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other puranas. The show is a superb presentation of oratorial skills.

Artists are normally well versed with the Hindu epics and puranas. Kannada language is the normal medium of communication. Mostly tala-maddale is held during night. It is organized by hobbyists who are interested in the art at their houses or as a public event in villages and towns. Performance is commenced with a puja to Lord Ganesh with a prayer song by Bhagavatha. Usually the song is "Gajamukhadavage ganapage". Some of the popular Tala maddale artists are Sheni Gopala Krishna Bhat, Polali Shankaranarayana Shastri, Shankaranarayana Samaga, Vasudeva Samaga, Prabhakara Joshi and others. Artha vaibhava or the grandeur of dialogues is relished by the rasikas (audience).