Courtesy of Karnataka Mahila Yakshagana. A scene from Yakshagana performed by female artists in Bangalore, Karnataka, in January.

Thanks to India Ink for bringing to our attention this article by Kavitha Rao:

BANGALORE — In a quiet Bangalore home, a group of middle-aged women are learning to walk, talk and dance like men. Only a decade ago, they might have been scoffed at; today the mixed audience of men, women and children cheers them on. They are learning Yakshagana, a 700-year old dance-drama that originated in the coastal regions of Karnataka.

Traditionally this vigorous dance, with leaps, twirls and kicks, was confined to men, who played both male and female parts. It was sung exclusively in Kannada, and the themes were based on religious epics, but its appeal was to the masses.

Classical music, humor and dialogue — the latter often extempore — are key. The bhagavata, or narrator and singer, plays a crucial role in keeping the whole show on the rails. In the past, shows were performed in tents to massive crowds and lasted a whole night.

Read the whole article here.