Yaksha festival is an annual celebration of the traditional dance and music of India. It is organized by the Isha Foundation at the Isha Yoga Center located in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The festival showcases some of the most delightful musical concerts and dance performances by the eminent artists hailing from all around the country. The year 2010 marked the inception of the festival with the aim of promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of India. The festival derives its name from `Yakshas` which refers to the celestial beings in Indian mythology. The event invites people belonging to distant regions to experience, cherish and explore the beauty of different art forms prevailing in the country since ages.
2010 Yaksha Festival
Yaksha festival started in the year 2010 and was held from 30th January to 11th February. The event in the first year depicted the theme `A Celestial Feast of Music and Dance`. Several famed artists graced the festival with their exquisite performances. A wonderful violin concert was rendered by Dr. N. Rajam, her daughter Sangeetha Shankar and granddaughters Ragini and Nandini Shankar, representing three generations of the same family. A Mohan Veena recital was performed by Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on a Hawaiian Guitar utilizing the techniques of Veena, Sarod and Sitar. A mesmerizing Carnatic recital was delivered by Sudha Ragunathan. Aditi Mangaldas and the Drishtikon Dance Foundation troupe`s Kathak dance recital, performance of Padma Talwalkar and Rajashekhar Mansur on Hindustani classical music, Kathakali, Odissi and Manipuri dance performances by Charishnu were other performances in the first edition of Yaksha festival.
Mahashivratri Celebration
Grand celebration of Mahashivratri can be witnessed on the fourteenth day. The event features the performances of various renowned artists throughout the night. In 2010 the celebration encompassed some of the most exquisite performances including percussion by Sivamani, Dollu Kunitha which is the folk dance from Karnataka and a concert by MIDIval Punditz.
Different editions of Yaksha festival feature artistic presentations by varied artists hailing from different areas of performing arts that have enriched the vivacious culture of India. It provides a common platform to both masters and novices, which are enjoyed by the art lovers and connoisseurs of the world. It provides a great opportunity to understand the profoundness of India`s ancient culture and presents this revered heritage to the visitors across the globe.
