Plans afoot for global Yakshagana Sammelana: Minister Sunil Kumar
Mangaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government is planning to hold a 'Vishwa Yakshagana Sammelana' and discussions on the proposal are in the initial stages, Minister for Kannada and Culture V Sunil Kumar has said.
Yakshagana is a traditional folk dance form popular in coastal Karnataka. It is an elaborate dance-drama performance that combines dance, music, song, scholarly dialogues and colourful costumes. Hence, the name Yaksha (celestial) Gana (music).
Addressing the valedictory of the first state-level Yakshagana Sammelana in Udupi on Sunday night, he said a data bank of Yakshagana artistes will be created by the culture department.
The data bank will collect information on different schools of Yakshagana and its artistes, he said.
Kumar added that the government had allocated Rs 2 crore for the state-level Yakshagana Sammelana this year.
The two-day programme resolved to make the state-level Yakshagana meet an annual event. The Sammelana next year will be held in Dakshina Kannada district.
In a resolution, the meet also demanded that a national School of Yakshagana be set up on the lines of National School of Drama (NSD). The government was also urged to increase the monthly pension of Yakshagana artistes to Rs 5,000.
The Sammelana also wanted the government to give due recognition to Kasaragod district in Kerala while nominating members to different cultural academies and announcing prizes, as the district had cultural attachment with Karnataka.
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Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
