Yakshagana Academy within a month: Minister

Malpe, Karnataka, Apr 19 (UNI) The new 'Yakshagana Academy', announced in the budget this year, will be set up either in Udupi or Bangalore within a month, Medical Education and district in-charge Minister Dr V S Acharya informed today.

Inaugurating a two-day 'Janapada Mela' as part of the year-long Suvarna Karnataka celebrations at Malpe beach, he said the Cabinet today decided to set up the academy within a month. However, the location was yet to be decided as there were differences of opinion over choice of the place. Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, also holding the Finance portfolio, had earmarked Rs one crore grant for the academy in the first year.

Dr Acharya said the Government, in its budget, had also announced the setting up of 'Koti-Chennaiah Theme Park' at Karkala in Udupi district by raising barracks and historical monuments of the two historical heroes worshipped as deities. The Government would procure 50 to 100 acres of land from the Forest department for the purpose. The Government had also decided to increase the pension for aged artistes to Rs 1,000, he added.

The Minister said the Government, celebrating the golden jubilee year of unification of Karnataka, had decided to preserve, promote and popularise folklore forms of different places through Janapada Mela, providing scope for performances and exchange of different folklore art forms to inspire the youth. During the year, it had also proposed to honour senior artistes from different fields. He stressed the need to take the art forms of the State outside Karnataka and the country.

Besides the mela at Malpe beach, about 20 troupes from various parts of the State would perform in four other places in the district till April 29.

UNI