Belthangady: Think of Yakshagana and it brings to mind some serious plots based on mythology. But, here in Belthangady a first of its kind Yakshagana was staged where comedy took the centre stage.

No Lords, no kings and mythological plot. It was a pure comedy show with a slice of culture.

The Yakshagana show held on July 2 unleashed a laugh riot at Asha Salian Sabha Bhavan here.

Held as part of Press Day celebration by the local Journalists’ Association, the programme was staged by the members of Suvarna Sanskriti Prathishtana.

The three-hour long show was led by Sarapady Ashok Shetty. Without touching on any aspects of mythology, the artists dressed in traditional Yakshagana attire took to presenting a comical view of current issues.

Artists Dinesh Rai, Sundara Bangady, Dinesh Kodapadau, Shambhu Kumar Kinnigoli, Srinivas Rai Kadaba enthralled the audience with their presence of mind and funny punches with the traditional Yakshagana percussion and ‘Bhagavathige’ on the background.

A conversation between an alcoholic and a young woman, a talk Hindu-Muslim vendors, a potter and a king etc were presented as comic capsules to the spectators. At the end of every episode, there was a social message too.

However, a particular episode of a conversation between demi-god Kallurti and devotees took the spectators on a rib tickling ride.

All in all, the spectators loved the comical version of traditional Yakshagana.