MAHILA YAKSHAGANA
Richa travelled to Coastal Karnataka, the home of Yakshagana, to photograph and learn about changing gender representation in Yakshagana. She was curious to see the form that this young practice is taking, as women are participating as equals in this performing art space that solely belonged to men for hundreds of years.The first all-women’s troupe was put together in 1989 by Poornima Rai, one of the pioneers of Mahila (women's) Yakshagana. ‘At that time there was not much opportunity for growth in Yakshagana. The situation is a lot better now—parents are much more supportive,’ says Poornima, who currently teaches 200 students at her home in Surathkal, in the suburbs of Mangalore. The students are from all age groups, ranging from five to sixty-five. By the early 2000s, more women, some of whom were dancers from other traditions like Bharatanatyam, were involving themselves with Yakshagana.
Richa is a freelance photographer based in Bangalore.
She is most interested in documenting women-centric narratives.
She has received the Neel Dongre awards/grants for excellence in photography. Sahapedia Frames Photography Grant, long-listed for the Toto Photography Award and shortlisted for the Alkazi Theatre Photography Grant.
Her work has been exhibited at The India International Centre, Delhi. Alliance Francaise du Bengale, Calcutta Contemporary Arts Week, Delhi,Max Mueller Bhavan, Bangalore Her photographs have been published in leading newspapers and online portals. She most enjoys working on themes connected to the humanities and nature. Her series somewhat lost received awards fromThe Chennai Photo Biennial and POY Asia in 2022.