Yakshagana, Yaksha-gana, Yakṣagāna, Yakṣagaṇa: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Yakshagana means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit terms Yakṣagāna and Yakṣagaṇa can be transliterated into English as Yaksagana or Yakshagana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Google Books: Yakṣagāna, a Dance Drama of IndiaYakṣagāna (यक्षगान).—In South Kanara the term ”Yakṣagāna“ refers both to a style of singing and to the local dance-drama in which this style is sung. The dictionary defines yakṣa as “the name of certain demi-gods attending on Kubera, god of wealth”. And gāna is defined as “singing, a song, praise”. By combining the dictionary definitions, the term yakṣagāna might mean the “songs of the demi-gods”.
Source: Triveni: Journal (natyashastra)In South Canara, the Yakshagana is one of the two most wide-spread popular dramatic entertainments...The vernacular name of Yakshagana is ‘Bayal Attam’ i.e., open-air play, a name which corresponds to the Tamil ‘Terukoothu’ and the Telugu ‘Veethi Nataka’ both of which mean ‘street-play’
In the court of Indra, the Gandharvas used to sing and dance, and the Yakshas had to serve them as menials. Being tired of this, the Yakshas went to Sukracharya, the guru of the demons, and learnt this kind of music and drama, and hence came the name Yakshagana.
Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English TranslationYakṣagaṇa (यक्षगण) refers to the “host of Yakṣas”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.48 (“Description of Marriage of Śiva and Pārvatī”).—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada: “[...] On hearing these words of Himavat, Śiva of sweet face, turned His face away. He without sorrow attained a pitiable plight. When lord Śiva stood thus unable to say anything in reply and was seen so by the gods, sages, Gandharvas, Yakṣas (yakṣagaṇa), and Siddhas, O Nārada, you did something laughable. Urged by Śiva mentally O Nārada, you, the knower of Brahman with mind fixed in Śiva, played on your Vīṇā. [...]”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexYakṣagaṇa (यक्षगण).—Chiefly four, Loheyas, Bharateyas, Kṛśāṅgeyas, and Viśāleyas after the four daughters of Suyaśā (s.v.).*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 69. 15-6.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: WikiPedia: HinduismYakṣagāna (यक्षगान) is a folk theater form that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form. Yakṣagāna literally means the song (gāna) of the yakṣa (nature spirits)
Languages of India and abroad
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusYakṣagāna (ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ):—[noun] a folk dance system, prevalent mostly in the coastal districts of Karnāṭaka, having themes selected from Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata and Purāṇa.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Yaksha, Gana.
Full-text (+4): Nidhanatripude, Niveshaka, Bhumigojaraka, Prasamgakara, Bagavatta, Keshabari, Kelikottu, Arthadhari, Hasyagara, Bhagavatike, Hanumanayaka, Erukalajhampe, Jemgejje, Melagattu, Mumdasu, Arepavu, Sannata, Bhagavata, Yakshini, Prasanga.
Relevant text
Search found 7 books and stories containing Yakshagana, Yakṣa-gāna, Yaksa-gana, Yakṣagāna, Yakṣagaṇa, Yaksagana, Yaksha-gana; (plurals include: Yakshaganas, gānas, ganas, Yakṣagānas, Yakṣagaṇas, Yaksaganas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Yakshagana: Origin And Growth < [January 1958]
Yaksha Gana < [September-October 1934]
Reviews < [July 1964]
Gati in Theory and Practice (by Dr. Sujatha Mohan)
Gati in Yakṣagāna < [Chapter 4 - Practice of Gati]
Nāṭyaśāstra and regional deśi art forms < [Chapter 4 - Practice of Gati]
Secondary sources on Nāṭya < [Introduction]
Diaspora of Bhuta (Daiva) worshipping cult—India and Indonesia (by Shilpa V. Sonawane)
Introduction < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Part 3 - Introduction to Research < [Chapter 3 - Research and Methodology]
Puppetry in Assam (by Gitali Saikia)
Chapter 5: Comparative Study Of Indian Puppet And Assam’s Puppet
Classification of Folk drama < [Chapter 1]
Puppetry in India (a): String puppet or Marionette < [Chapter 2]
Vastu-shastra (2): Town Planning (by D. N. Shukla)
Beautification (a): Temples < [Chapter 6 - Deification and Beautification of Towns]
Hindu Pluralism (by Elaine M. Fisher)
The sites of Multilingual Literary production in Nāyaka-period South India < [Chapter 4 - The Language Games of Śiva]
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