At age 3, she made a mark in a 500-year-old dance form
Yakshagana is a traditional dance-drama that has been around for at least 500 years and is unique to coastal Karnataka. It portrays episodes from Hindu epics and is highly regarded in this region. Surprisingly, Tulasi Hegde, at the age of three, made her first stage appearance in this field, possibly becoming the youngest ever to do so.
At the age of four, Tulasi, from Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, started performing alongside leading Yakshagana artists and taking on complex roles such as Abhimanyu in the Yakshagana prasanga Krishnarjuna Kaalaga. She went on to play other characters like Angada, Lohitashwa, and Vrushasena.
Now 15 years old, Tulasi is well-known for her solo performances in Badagutittu Yakshagana. In contemporary Yakshagana performances, the style predominant in the southern coastal regions of Karnataka is called ‘Tenkutittu,’ while the style common in the northern areas is known as ‘Badagutittu.’ Tulasi’s performances, which usually last for an hour, captivate audiences with her portrayal of characters from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Gita.
Tulasi’s talent for Yakshagana was nurtured from a young age by her parents. Her mother, Gayatri Hegde, who herself cherished Yakshagana since childhood, would sing Yakshagana songs to Tulasi as lullabies. This had a lasting impact on Tulasi, who became a natural performer.
At the age of five, Tulasi started performing Yakshagana with the goal of promoting world peace. She has since given over 800 Yakshagana performances across India, at various venues including religious centers like Tirupati and Dharmasthala, literary events like Alva’s Nudisiri, and even in Mumbai.
Living in Malenadu, an idyllic area near Sirsi town in coastal Karnataka, Tulasi is currently studying in the 9th grade at Government Marikamba High School. Apart from Yakshagana, she is interested in music, drama, agriculture, and dairy farming. She has also received recognition for her performances in a science-based drama competition.
Tulasi dreams of popularizing Yakshagana throughout the country and preserving its cultural and traditional significance. She values the experiences of performing alongside Yakshagana legends and is grateful to her parents and teachers for their continuous support. Tulasi plans to further explore the world of Yakshagana and hopes to pursue a doctorate in the field.
Tulasi’s mother, Gayatri, noticed her daughter’s early passion for music, particularly Yakshagana songs. Gayatri herself had a deep love for Yakshagana since her own childhood and continued singing these songs during her pregnancy with Tulasi. Even at the age of three months, Tulasi showed a response to the songs. Recognizing her daughter’s interest, Gayatri began teaching Tulasi Yakshagana dances at a young age, and Tulasi’s ability to learn exceeded their expectations.
The panel of judges included prominent individuals from various fields:
1. Nandan Nilekani – Co-founder and chairman of Infosys, who played a crucial role in creating Aadhaar as the chairman of UDAI.
2. Prof Govindan Rangarajan – Chairman of IISc (Indian Institute of Science).
3. Viswanathan Anand – Five-time world chess champion.
4. Sangita Jindal – Chairperson of JSW Foundation, known for supporting young artists and actively involved in socially relevant projects.
5. Chetan Bhagat – Author.
6. Shaheen Mistri – CEO of Teach for India.
7. Sudha Ragunathan – Renowned Carnatic singer.
8. Rohan Verma – CEO of MapMyIndia.
9. Ankur Tewari – Acclaimed Bollywood singer, composer, and director.