Yakshagana! The word itself is very attractive. It is a rich traditional art of coastal Karnataka. There are two types in Yakshagana – ‘Moodalapaya’ and ‘Paduvalapaya’. The ‘Thenkuthittu’ & ‘Badaguthittu’, the two versions of Paduvalapaya have attracted the people around the globe.

In Yakshagana, the stories called ‘Prasangas’ are selected from Mahabharatha, Ramayana, Bhagavatha etc and are performed in an open air theatre. One can see the similarities among the various arts of Indian states. Yakshagana has a history of 8 centuries. It has received recognition and appreciation in India & worldwide. 

Begar Shivakumar, a veteran Yakshagana artist was born in the year 1969. Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth interviewed and selected Begar Shivakumar as a student to the Udupi Yakshagana centre. Under the guidance of Neelavara Ramakrishnaiah, Kota Mahabala Karantha and Heranjalu Venkataramana, he acquired mastery over Yakshagana. He won the hearts of his co-actors and public through his exemplary stage performance. He is also having disciplined way of life. From past thirty years, Begar Shivakumar is scintillating in various roles like Mohini, Chira Kannike etc.

Begar Shivakumar, served as manager for a decade from 1985 to 1995 at Amrutheshwara Pravasi Yakshagana Mandali (Kota) and has performed over 800 shows throughout India. He has successfully completed two decades of his touring Yakshagana profession. Since ten years he has set up his own organization - Gaana Sourabha Yakshagana School at Bangalore. As a teacher, Begar Shivakumar is training thousands of students. He has performed in more than 10,000 shows and has played various roles, mainly heroines’ like-Seetha, Mohini, Chitrangada etc.