Yakshagana

Yakshagana is a traditional stage performance and semi classical Indian dance drama, found in Tulunadu that is Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragod district and Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. It is believed to have evolved from proto-classical music and Sanskrit theatre during the period of the Bhakti movement. This theatre style is mainly found in coastal regions of Karnataka in various forms

thumb|Chandrahasa prays to goddess Kali. Chandrahasa () is a king of the Kuntala kingdom in Hindu mythology. The story of Chandrahasa is described in the Ashvamedhika Parva of the epic Mahabharata. Chandrahasa befriends Arjuna who was accompanied by Krishna guarding the ashvamedha ceremony of Yudhishthira. Chandrahasa anoints his son Makaraksha as the king and accompanies the army of Arjuna to help the ashvamedha.

right|thumb| D - E shruti Chande top (placed for left hand play). The chande is a drum used in the traditional and classical music of South India and particularly in Yakshagana theatre art of Karnataka. It follows the Yakshagana Tala system. The rhythms are based on pre-classical music forms that Karnataka Sangeta and Hindustani Sangeetha are based on. There are different varieties of this instrument; two major varieties being the Badagu Thittu Chande (Northern School) and the Thenku Thittu Chande (Southern School). The latter can also be spelled chenda and is used exclusively in the art forms

thumb|Muddana on a 2017 stamp of India Nandalike Lakshminaranappa, known by his pseudonym Muddana (24 January 1870 – 15 February 1901), was a Kannada writer and a Yakshagana poet. He was also known as Mahakavi ("Great Poet") or Mahakavi Muddana. His best known works include Ratnavati Kalyaana(Yakshagana), Sri Rama Pattaabhisheka, Adbhuta Ramayana and Sri Ramashwamedha. He coined the word Kannadam Kasthuriyanthe, where he heartily compares his beloved language Kannada to Kasthuri.

Indian artist