--- title: "In which of the states of India, Yakshagana, a dance drama is popular?" description: "In which of the states of India, Yakshagana, a dance drama is popular?" author: "Shrikant Mishra" published: 2019-05-29 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/52134/in-which-of-the-states-of-india-yakshagana-a-dance-drama-is-popular category: "general knowledge" tags: ["dance", "general knowledge"] reading_time: 2 minutes --- # In which of the states of India, Yakshagana, a dance drama is popular? In which of the [states](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81223/indian-states-on-responsibility-end-during-corona-pandemic) of [India](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/336618/top-10-electric-bicycles-in-india-in-2024-to-improve-your-health), Yakshagana, a dance drama is popular? ## Answers ### Answer by UTKARSHA SINGHROUL **‘Yakshagana’ is a theatrical form of presenting Mythological and historical stories,** and is majorly **popular in “[Karnataka](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/45351/who-is-the-education-minister-in-karnataka)”.** A ‘Yakshagana’ dance drama performance **includes the combination of music, colorful costumes, vigorous and energetic dance [movements](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/41441/which-former-slave-used-religious-fervor-to-support-the-reform-movements-of-women-s-rights-and-abolitionism), subtle expressions and extempore dialogues.** ![In which of the states of India, Yakshagana, a dance drama is popular?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/68e56bf8-ad29-42ce-b735-d92b04770fca/images/cc341029-90cb-4d2a-8984-0de509f7f3dd.jpeg)\ \ **Yakshagana has two main variations**, **Moodalapaya,** the eastern dance form which is popular in [Northern](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/39938/in-2008-which-state-became-the-first-northern-state-of-the-usa-to-apologize-for-slavery) Karnataka and **Paduvalapaya,** the western style also known as the [coastal](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/39720/which-coastal-town-of-kerala-has-been-recognised-by-the-united-nations-environment-programme-unep-as-one-of-the-five-models-across) Yakshagana. The coastal Yakshagana is usually popular for its great sophistication what it has achieved over the years by the efforts of contributing artists, thinkers and [researchers](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/37131/why-do-we-all-depend-on-medical-researchers-to-cure-diseases) who explore the variety in it. It is a more exuberant and refined dance form when compared to all the other styles. \ The performance in Yakshagana is usually **depicted through a story from the epics like [Ramayana](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/52026/which-country-releases-a-special-stamp-on-ramayana-theme), the [Mahabharata](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/33447/river-saraswati-was-dried-up-before-mahabharata-or-after-it) and the Puranas of Indian Mythology**. Usually, in predominantly rural areas which have a little or no [transportation](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/41390/why-did-interstate-transportation-become-a-good-target-for-integration-activities-in-the-1960s), in that areas, Yakshagana has been enjoyed a lot and gained immense popularity and its performers are honored just like the great stage artists are respected and honored. \ **The word Yakshgana means the songs of the Demi-Gods, ‘yaksha‘ meaning for the ‘Demi-God’, and ‘gana’ meaning ‘song and music’.** Whereas, the **stage design during the performance and unique rendering used to quite similar to that of the Western Opera**. The theatrical performance also includes the background music played by the group of musicians usually termed as “Himmela”. The **men portray the [character](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/258/is-girl-s-character-will-be-decided-by-her-clothes) of both males and females**. Along with the elaborate headgears decorated specifically for Kings and for the demons in a different manner. \ It is believed that the performances started during the Vaishnav Bhakti movement in the 11th century. Whereas, in the 13th century, a Sage named Narahari Thirtha started Dashavathara performance in Udupi, which later developed into the Yakshagana of today. --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/52134/in-which-of-the-states-of-india-yakshagana-a-dance-drama-is-popular Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.