More than 3 lakh pictures on Yakshagana documented

UDUPI: A photographer and Yakshagana researcher has documented more than three lakh pictures related to Yakshagana and another one lakh related to Bhootaradhane and various other Indian art forms. Of these, more than 10,000 have been digitised.
S Manohar Kunder, 60, who is a Yakshagana enthusiast, started documenting pictures in 1985.
He told TOI: " I developed interest in Yakshagana at a young age. My parents were interested in the art form and my uncle had started his own Yakshagana troupe. Back then, costumes and props related to the art form used to be kept at our home. I was then introduced to Yakshagana tent mela and later, to other Yakshagana performances. I started understanding the art form, and realised the differences in performances, customs and so on. I spent most of my time studying, understanding and watching Yakshagana and with a basic roll camera, started documenting the art form."
In 1990, he realised that his basic camera was not giving him the desired results and hence went on and invested in an SLR film camera.
" Back then, each roll would cost Rs 100 and I would end up using 8-10 rolls for one performance. From each roll, I would print an average of 36 photos. Gradually, artistes started recognising my interest towards the art form. My financial condition was not great but my passion would not allow me to give up. To support my passion and family financially, I started opting for wedding photography," he said.
However, the turning point was when he met Yakshagana scholar Raghava Nambiar, who encouraged him to bring out books.
"Though my aim is to digitise my entire collection and preserve it, it is definitely an expensive affair. Scholars have often told me that I have been doing works that should have been taken up by universities and institutes. I have captured some rare moments in Yakshagana and also have documented the changes in the art form during the last three decades. As part of this, I have also documented traditional art forms of India, captured some of the best pictures of top artistes during their visit, along with documenting the traditions of Tulunadu," he said.
He has authored two books including 'Yakshagana Ranga Vaibhava' and has won several awards. He has performed as an artiste, an 'arthadhari' and continues to travel extensively across the coast to watch traditional Yakshagana shows.
He hopes to create a record and recently presented nearly 650 photos at the first state-level two-day Yakshagana sammelana held in Udupi.