Vision, Mission & Future Initiatives
Vision
To sustain and celebrate the living tradition of Yakshagana by nurturing artists and audiences across the world through authentic practice, innovation, and cultural integrity; safeguarding native wisdom while building a sustainable cultural ecosystem that meaningfully connects our living heritage with diverse global communities.
Mission
Sri Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali is guided by a threefold mission dedicated to preserving, promoting, and advancing Yakshagana and its allied art forms.
Shikshana (Education)
To impart systematic training in Yakshagana by nurturing and inspiring young minds while fostering the transmission of artistic skills, cultural values, and traditional wisdom to future generations through the Gurukula tradition and other educational initiatives.
Rakshana & Prasārana (Preservation & Propagation)
To preserve the authenticity, integrity, and living traditions of Yakshagana by safeguarding its knowledge systems, performance practices, oral traditions, and cultural heritage while promoting the art through performances, education, documentation, outreach, and research.
Samvardhana (Creative Exploration & Development)
To empower artists and enrich audiences through thoughtful innovation, creative exploration, collaboration, and interdisciplinary engagement while remaining firmly rooted in the traditional values and spirit of Yakshagana.
Future Initiatives
To strengthen the future of Yakshagana while preserving its invaluable heritage, the Mandali is actively working towards the following long-term initiatives.
Strengthening the Gurukula
Expand and modernise Shrimaya Yakshagana Kalakendra, our residential Gurukula, by enhancing educational infrastructure, scholarships, accommodation, and training facilities to nurture future generations of Yakshagana artistes.
Yakshagana Research & Documentation Centre
Establish a comprehensive research centre dedicated to Yakshagana and allied performing arts, incorporating:
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A specialised research library
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Digital and physical archives
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Audio-visual documentation
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Oral history projects
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Manuscript preservation
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Scholarly publications
The centre will encourage research, documentation, and academic collaboration in traditional Indian performing arts.
Yakshagana Museum
Develop a world-class museum showcasing the rich heritage of Yakshagana through costumes, ornaments, musical instruments, manuscripts, photographs, props, archival material, multimedia installations, and interactive exhibits that preserve and present the history of the art form for future generations.
Publications & Knowledge Resources
Expand the Mandali's publication programme through books, research monographs, journals, educational resources, translations, and digital documentation to support scholarship and public understanding of Yakshagana and India's traditional performing arts.
Preservation of Intangible Heritage
Document and preserve rare Yakshagana traditions, including choreography, music, oral singing traditions, dialogue, performance techniques, costume practices, and traditional knowledge through systematic recording, research, and archival initiatives.
Artist Welfare
Strengthen programmes supporting artists through scholarships, financial assistance, healthcare support, training opportunities, and professional development, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the artistic community.
Scholarships & Educational Support
Provide scholarships and financial assistance to deserving students pursuing Yakshagana education and encourage talented young artists irrespective of their socio-economic background.
Awards & Cultural Recognition
Continue honouring distinguished artists, scholars, cultural leaders, and institutions through the Mandali's annual awards while recognising outstanding contributions to Yakshagana and India's wider cultural heritage.
Audience Development
Conduct appreciation courses, lecture-demonstrations, workshops, and outreach programmes that help audiences, students, educators, and researchers better understand, experience, and appreciate the depth and beauty of Yakshagana.
Future Vision
The Mandali envisions the creation of a world-class cultural centre dedicated to Yakshagana, rural artistry, research, education, and cultural exchange.
Key components of this vision include:
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Renovation and expansion of the Keremane Shivarama Hegde Rangamandira
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A modern student hostel and residential facilities
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A Yakshagana Museum and Documentation Centre
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Research library and archive
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Classrooms, rehearsal studios, and creative laboratories
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Conference and seminar facilities
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Sustainable campus infrastructure incorporating environmentally responsible design
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Expanded educational and cultural outreach programmes
These initiatives will transform the Yakshāngana campus into a vibrant international centre for Yakshagana, cultural research, artistic collaboration, and heritage preservation, ensuring that this extraordinary living tradition continues to inspire generations to come.