Awardee Update: Vaibhav Lokur

Vaibhav Lokur is a 2017 Theatre Awardee. During the past year he has had the opportunity to study Yakshagana, a traditional dance form practice in Karnataka at the Yakshagaan Kendra Udupi.

Translating to songs of the demigods, there is evidence that Yakshagana was been performed in 1556 CE. Since then it has undergone many transformations evolving into dance form we know it to be today. In the past Yakshagana was believed to be a medium of education. Performers and the audience would engage in discourse making the theatre a space where thoughts and ideas were exchanged. Even though this is still practiced today the tradition has lost its vigor and Yakshagana is now performed more for entertainment purposes.

 In the video below Vaibhav demonstrates the complex rituals that a performer must follow while applying their make up and embodying their character before every performance.