Kogga Devanna Kamath (27 November 1921 – 27 August 2003) was an Indian artist who specialised in

Yakshagana Yakshagaana is a traditional theatre, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, ...

puppetry.

Early life and education

Kogga Devanna Kamath was born on 27 November 1921 He learned the art of puppetry from his father, Devanna Kamath (1888–1971), who was the only puppetry artist of the area and had received the President Award for puppetry in 1966. Kogga Kamath had determined to give up the art due to lack of patronage but was encouraged to continue by

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (3 April 1903 – 29 October 1988) was an Indian social reformer and freedom activist. She was most remembered for her contribution to the Indian independence movement; for being the driving force behind the renaissanc ...

and K. Sanjeeva Prabhu. His family members supported his effort and he received further encouragement from

Shivarama Karanth Kota Shivaram Karanth (10 October 1902 – 9 December 1997), also abbreviated as K. Shivaram Karanth, was an Indian polymath, who was a novelist in Kannada language, playwright and an ecological conservationist. Ramachandra Guha called him ...

, a writer, art promoter and researcher in Yakshagana. He died on 27 August 2003. in Uppinakudru, an island village located in

Kundapura taluk Kundapura Taluk is a taluk located in Udupi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Kundapur town is the taluk headquarters of Kundapur Taluk. Demographics As of the 2011 Census of India, Kundapura Taluk had 79573 households with a populat ...

Udupi District Udupi district (also Udipi or Odipu in Tulu language) is an administrative subdivision in the Karnataka state of India, with the district headquarters in the city of Udupi. It is situated in the Canara coastal region, there are seven taluks, ...

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...

, India.

Contributions

Kamath contributed to development and performance of puppetry art which is based on Yakshagana songs, dance and style and has given hundreds of performances in India and abroad, including in France, Belgium, Holland, Australia, Greece, and Pakistan.

Puppetry performance

The puppets are made of light wood and of 18 inches height and dressed similar to Yakshagana artists and made to move and dance like Yakshagana artists, with song and background music. The performance by Kamath is colourful and very similar to ''badaguthittu'' Yakshagana bayalata, the popular whole night performance art prevailing in Coastal areas of Karnataka. These puppet shows are based on mythical stories and on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharatha. There is also another puppetry troupe in Kasargod giving Yakshagana shows in ''thenkuthittu'' style.

Awards

Other recognitions

*Madras Dooradarshan (Govt. Owned TV) has made a documentary on Kogga Devanna Kamath and his puppetry show. *Delhi Dooradarshan (Govt. Owned TV) has also made a documentary on Kogga Devanna Kamath.(1984) Several other institutions have honoured him and supported Yakshagana puppetry.

Continuation of art

Bhaskara Devanna Kamath, son of Kogga Devanna Kamath, learned the art from his father and regularly gives performances. He is the convener of Sri Ganesha Yakshagana Gombeyata Mandali, a troupe which is dedicated to giving performances of Yakshagana puppetry. This troupe continues to give performances in India and in several countries like UK etc. He has also developed, as an innovation: puppets to perform trail yoga and called it "Yoga in Puppets". He has also given shows with Konkani and Hindi interpretations for the benefit of different audiences. Bhaskar Kogga Kamath conducts puppetry classes also for Indian and foreign students.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kamath, Kogga Devanna 1921 births 2003 deaths Yakshagana Indian puppeteers People from Udupi district Artists from Karnataka Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award