Mangaluru: Yakshagana bhagwat Patla Sathish Shetty, who was formerly with the Kateel Yakshagana troupe, has started the process to begin a new Yakshagana troupe.
It was speculated from several months that a new troupe will be started under the aegis of Shetty. It is been confirmed that the new troupe will be started in the name of Pavanje Sri Jnanasakti Subramanya Temple.
Speaking to Udayavani, Shetty said that he has held talks with the Temple's managing committee regarding bhagwat position for the temple's Yakshagana troupe. He will only be an artist in the troupe and through his work will be offering his devotion to the Lord Subramanya.
Shashindra Kumar, the administrator of the temple, stated that since the past three years ago the idea of a Yakshagana troupe in the name of the Pavanje Sri Jnanasakti Subramanya Temple was being discussed. The issue has come to the forefront as the name of Patla Sathish Shetty became associated. Currently, it is in the initial phase. A final decision would be taken at the Temple's committee meeting on it.
Two years ago, artists from the six troupes of the Kateel Yakshagana group were internally transferred. Shetty was transferred from the fifth troupe to the fourth troupe. Some artists from the fifth troupe opposed this development. One year later, Shetty was expelled from the troupe causing some controversy.
Some of the opposing artists left and joined other Yakshagana troupes. It is said now that these artists could reunite with Shetty in the new troupe.
