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A Yakshagana actor in a huge shining headdress and a painted face
Episode 7 of 7 · Coastal Karnataka

Yakshagana: A Play That Lasts All Night

  • 1 min read
  • Ages 3–8
  • 6 pages
  • Free

Towering headdresses and a story that goes on until sunrise.

  1. Yakshagana is a dance-drama from the coast of Karnataka.

  2. It is traditionally performed in the open air, through the night, until sunrise.

  3. A singer called the bhagavata tells the story, while the actors dance and speak.

  4. Kings and demons wear huge, shining headdresses and bright painted faces.

  5. A drum called the chende booms to the beat.

  6. Imagine watching a play that lasts all night! A good story is worth staying up for.

The big ideaA good story is worth staying up for.
Talk about it: What is the longest story you have ever listened to?

Learn more

Facts, a quiz and words to know

Did you know?

  • Yakshagana comes from coastal Karnataka.
  • A performance traditionally lasts through the night.
  • The singer who tells the story is called the bhagavata.
  • The drum is called the chende.

Quick quiz

  1. 1What is the singer called?

    1. Bhagavata
    2. Nattuvanar
    3. Kathakar
    Show the answer

    A. Bhagavata. The bhagavata tells the story in song.

  2. 2How long is a traditional performance?

    1. All night
    2. One minute
    3. One hour exactly
    Show the answer

    A. All night. It goes on until sunrise.

  3. 3Which drum plays?

    1. Chende
    2. Tabla
    3. Khol
    Show the answer

    A. Chende. The chende booms to the beat.

Words to know

Bhagavata
The singer who narrates the story
Chende
A tall drum played with sticks
Headdress
A tall decorated crown
Dance-drama
A play told through dance

Think and do

Talk about it. What is the longest story you have heard?

Try it. Tell a story in five parts and act out each part in a different voice.

Remember: The joy of a good story.

Up next

Written for children from well-known public sources, including UNESCO’s lists of living heritage. Every region has many more folk dances than these seven, and each dance is danced a little differently in different places.

Rangooo

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