The University of Hyderabad’s Campus Cultural Center, in collaboration with SPICMACAY, recently hosted a captivating Yakshagana performance by the renowned Sri Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali troupe. The event, held on August 9, 2025, at the Savitribai Phule DST auditorium, drew an audience of approximately 500 enthusiastic spectators.
Under the expert guidance of Sri Keremane Shivanand Hegde, the troupe presented the ‘Sitapaharana Prasanga,’ a breathtaking episode depicting Sita’s abduction by Ravana. This ancient art form, blending dance, music, and dialogue, left the audience spellbound.
About the Troupe:
Sri Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali, founded in 1934 by Late Sri Keremane Shivarama Hegde, has been a stalwart of Yakshagana excellence for nine decades. With over 8,000 performances across India and internationally, the troupe has garnered widespread acclaim. Its legacy continues to thrive under the stewardship of Sri Keremane Shivananda Hegde, who has taken the troupe to new heights.
Awards and Recognition:
The troupe’s contributions to Yakshagana have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including:
– UNESCO Recognition: Accredited by the UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in June 2024, making it the first Yakshagana institution to receive this honor
– Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman: One of the highest state awards conferred by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2015-16
– Havyaka Sadhaka Ratna: Awarded by Akhila Havyaka Mahasabha (R), Bangalore in 2018
– Ramagovinda Puraskar: Received from Smt. Ramabai Charitable Foundation and Mr. Gopinath Shenai Charitable Trust, Mysore in 2020
– First Prize in Rashtriya Ramayana Mahotsav: Secured the top spot in the National-level festival organized by the Government of Chhattisgarh in 2023
The success of this event is a testament to the efforts of student volunteers, including Namrata, Sonali, Dattatreya, Santosh, and Karan, under the guidance of Dr. Aranya Kumar, Cultural Coordinator. The program concluded with a thought-provoking speech by Prof. B.J. Rao, Honorable Vice Chancellor of the University, highlighting the significance of folk traditions.
