40-Hour Yakshagana Certificate Course ‘Yakshamruta’ Inaugurated at St Philomena College, Puttur

Puttur, July 26: A 40-hour certificate course in Yakshagana titled “Yakshamruta” was inaugurated at St Philomena College (Autonomous), Puttur, marking another initiative to preserve and promote India’s rich folk art heritage.

The course is jointly organised by the Yaksha Kala Kendra of the college and the Deshabhakta N.S. Kille Pratishthana. Designed to nurture aspiring Yakshagana artistes, the programme combines classroom instruction with practical training, culminating in written and practical examinations, followed by certificate distribution and a final stage performance.

The Yaksha Kala Kendra, established to study, preserve, and promote Indian classical and folk art traditions, has introduced the course to provide students with systematic training in Yakshagana and encourage greater appreciation of the traditional art form.

Inaugurating the programme for the academic year 2026–27, Vasudeva Aithal Panambur, Chief Convener of Yakshadhruva Yakshashikshana, highlighted the academic significance and vast scope of Yakshagana as a performing art. Through illustrative examples, he encouraged students to explore the artistic, cultural, and educational dimensions of the traditional theatre form.

Presiding over the function, Rev. Dr. Antony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of St Philomena College, urged students to nurture creativity and artistic expression. Observing that the digital age has led to a decline in genuine creativity and appreciation for traditional arts among young people, he commended the Yaksha Kala Kendra for its dedicated efforts in preserving indigenous art forms and called upon students and faculty members to actively support the initiative.

The programme commenced with a prayer by student Sannidhi Rai. Prashanth Rai, Convener of the Yaksha Kala Kendra, welcomed the gathering, while Suraksha Rai, Coordinator of the Yakshamruta programme, proposed the vote of thanks.

Faculty members and students enrolled in the certificate course were present on the occasion.