Bayalāṭa ( kan, ಬಯಲಾಟ, or Bayalāṭada ) is a generic term for all open air theatre form, including form of

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, ...

found in southern

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

n region of

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 ...

.The Mask and the Message By Ke Chinnappa Gauḍa · Madipu Prakashana, 2005. pp. 76 It features stories from

Indian epic poetry Indian epic poetry is the epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent, traditionally called ''Kavya'' (or ''Kāvya''; Sanskrit: काव्य, IAST: ''kāvyá''). The ''Ramayana'' and the ''Mahabharata'', which were originally composed in ...

and the Puranas rendered as dance and drama. ''Bayalāṭa'' means ''open theater drama'' and marks the end of harvest season The most popular theme for ''bayalāṭa'' is the story of Kōṭi and Cennayya, which has deep-rooted significance for the people of

Tulu Nadu Tulunad or Tulu Nadu, also called Bermere sristi or Parashurama Srishti, is a region and a proposed state on the southwestern coast of India. The Tulu people, known as 'Tuluva' (plural 'Tuluver'), speakers of Tulu, a Dravidian language, ar ...

. There are generally five types of Bayalayas – Dasarat, Sannata, Doddata, Parikatha, and Yakshanaga. Parijat and Yakshagana are narrated by single sutradhar while other three forms are performed in chorus of three-four, aided by Vidhushaka. The

stage is set before the village temple on a sandy beach or in open fields. A low platform about 16' 10 20' with

bamboo Bamboos are a diverse group of evergreen perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. The origin of the word "bamboo" is uncertain, ...

poles at each corner

garland A garland is a decorative braid, knot or wreath of flowers, leaves, or other material. Garlands can be worn on the head or around the neck, hung on an inanimate object, or laid in a place of cultural or religious importance. Etymology From the ...

ed with flowers,

plantain Plantain may refer to: Plants and fruits * Cooking banana, banana cultivars in the genus ''Musa'' whose fruits are generally used in cooking ** True plantains, a group of cultivars of the genus ''Musa'' * ''Plantaginaceae'', a family of flowerin ...

and mango leaves, and roofed with matted

palm Palm most commonly refers to: * Palm of the hand, the central region of the front of the hand * Palm plants, of family Arecaceae **List of Arecaceae genera * Several other plants known as "palm" Palm or Palms may also refer to: Music * Palm (ba ...

leaves. At sunset the sound of a ''

chande The ''chande'' is a drum used in the traditional and classical music of South India and particularly in Yakshagana theatre art of Karnataka. It follows the Yakshagana Tala system. The rhythms are based on pre-classical music forms that Karna ...

'', a high pitched drum, announces forthcoming performances.

References

Arts of Karnataka Theatre in India Classical theatre of india {{Karnataka-stub