Kogga Devanna Kamath

Background

Kogga Devanna Kamath was born on 27 November 1921 He learned the art of puppetry from his father, Devanna Kamath (1888–1971), who was the only puppetry artist of the area and had received the President Award for puppetry in 1966.

Career

Kogga Kamath had determined to give up the art due to lack of patronage but was encouraged to continue by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and K. Sanjeeva Prabhu. His family members supported his effort and he received further encouragement from Shivarama Karanth, a writer, art promoter and researcher in Yakshagana. He died on 27 August 2003. in Uppinakudru, an island village located in Kundapura taluk, Udupi District, Karnataka, India.

The puppets are made of light wood and of 18 inches height and dressed similar to Yakshagana artists and made to move and dance like Yakshagana artists, with song and background music

The performance by Kamath is colourful and very similar to badaguthittu Yakshagana bayalata, the popular whole night performance art prevailing in Coastal areas of Karnataka. These puppet shows are based on mythical stories and on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

There is also another puppetry troupe in Kasargod giving Yakshagana shows in thenkuthittu style. Bhaskara Devanna Kamath, son of Kogga Devanna Kamath, learned the art from his father and regularly gives performances.

He is the convener of Sri Ganesha Yakshagana Gombeyata Mandali, a troupe which is dedicated to giving performances of Yakshagana puppetry.

This troupe continues to give performances in India and in several countries like United Kingdom et cetera He has also given shows with Konkani and Hindi interpretations for the benefit of different audiences. Bhaskar Kogga Kamath conducts puppetry classes also for Indian and foreign students.

Achievements

• Madras Dooradarshan (Government Owned television) has made a documentary on Kogga Devanna Kamath and his puppetry show. Delhi Dooradarshan (Government Owned television) has also made a documentary on Kogga Devanna Kamath.(1984) Several other institutions have honoured him and supported Yakshagana puppetry. These are magnificent puppets - beautifully designed, made with activity of great craftsman, the designs, constructions and painting - all shows the love and awareness of the true artist. I am very impressed. I hope to learn from such a great Artist and Guru as Sri Kogga Kamath.-Professor Melvin Helstien, Department of Theatre Arts, University of California.