Mangaluru: Arshiya Khan, popularly known as Thanu Vitla, is set to portray the revered role of Devi in the Sri Devi Mahatme Yakshagana performance at Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple on Oct 20. A Muslim by faith, popularly known as Yakshapriye Arshiya, she began learning Yakshagana at the age of nine and has since performed several roles in the traditional coastal art form. Her family has supported her journey in Yakshagana, helping her pursue the art despite its strong association with Hindu religious traditions.Ahead of the performance, Arshiya is observing a strict ‘vratha’ and following a pure vegetarian diet as part of her preparation for portraying the deity. The Yakshagana, ‘Devi Mahatme’, will be staged by a group of artistes for the Dasara celebration at the Kadali Kala Kendra.She told TOI that artistes from Kateel Mela, Pavanje Mela, and others will join together and perform. “We will stage the complete Sri Devi Mahatme during the programme. I will be donning the role of Sri Devi and Ashtabhuje,” she said.Arshiya said that her father Abdul Khadar, a retired deputy tahsildar and mother Mumtaz, homemaker, supported her when she started learning Yakshagana when she was in fourth standard. “Since my childhood, I have been practicising Yakshagana. In my family, I am the only one to continue learning the traditional art form,” said Ashriya, a graduate working in a media house.“The total length of my role in the upcoming Yakshagana will depend on the division of character. Because what we are doing is dividing the Devi character. I follow the vows (vratha) to perform the role. Earlier, I played the roles of Shumbha, Nishumbha, did villain roles, played Adimaye, and I have also performed Sri Devi roles in the past 12 years,” she said, recalling her Guru, Ramesh Bhat Kadri.“My teacher, Ramesh Bhat Kadri, was the main person who taught me various aspects of Yakshagana. I have been working with Kadali Kala Kendra, located inside the Kadri temple.Ramesh Bhat Kadri said Arshiya is a talented artiste who had also learnt Yakshagana under his guidance. “Arshiya, who has performed at various venues, will portray Devi at Kadri. As part of the Navaratri celebrations, Kadali Kala Kendra has been organising ‘Kadali Dashaha’, a 10-day Yakshagana festival, every year for the past 13 years. The 14th edition will be held at the Kadri Temple Rajangana from Oct 11 to 20. Different Yakshagana prasangas will be presented during the festival, with ‘Sampoorna Sri Devi Mahatme’ scheduled for the final day,” he said.
