Gurudakshina – The Story of Ekalavya is a Yakshagana-based Kannada theatrical adaptation of the Mahabharata episode that explores devotion, caste hierarchy, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of the guru–shishya tradition. The play narrates the journey of Ekalavya, the young Nishada prince who aspires to learn archery under Guru Dronacharya but is rejected because of his birth. Undeterred, he fashions a clay idol of Dronacharya and trains himself with unwavering discipline, eventually surpassing Arjuna in skill. When Dronacharya learns of his excellence, he demands gurudakshina; in an act of profound obedience and sacrifice, Ekalavya offers his right thumb, raising enduring questions about justice, privilege, and loyalty. Presented in the vibrant Yakshagana style of Karnataka, the production features grand costumes, elaborate headgear, expressive rangabhoosha makeup, energetic dance movements, stylized abhinaya, and powerful live music with chende and maddale. Through poetic Kannada dialogues and dramatic narration, the play highlights Ekalavya’s silent strength and Dronacharya’s inner conflict, transforming a mythological episode into a compelling social commentary that remains deeply relevant today.
Director :
Bannanje Sanjeeva Suvarna is a legendary Yakshagana Guru, director, and cultural reformer whose contribution to Indian performing arts spans over five decades. Born into a humble background and with formal education only up to the second standard, his artistic journey stands as a powerful testament to discipline, devotion, and the transformative power of traditional art. He trained rigorously under 21 eminent gurus, mastering every dimension of Yakshagana—music, dance, choreography, abhinaya, and aesthetics—earning him the revered title of “Guru”.
Suvarna is widely acknowledged for revolutionizing Yakshagana by dismantling long-standing social barriers. At a time when the art form was restricted to select communities, he courageously opened its doors to Dalits, tribal communities, women, and specially challenged children. Through his unique Gurukula-based institution, he combined free formal education with intensive Yakshagana training, personally funding the initiative through his awards and earnings. To date, he has trained over 5,000 students from 52 countries, many of whom have become cultural ambassadors of Yakshagana worldwide.
An innovator at heart, Suvarna directed the first-ever Sanskrit Yakshagana in 1983 and successfully adapted Yakshagana into Hindi, Marathi, Tulu, and Kannada. His artistic collaborations have reached international platforms across Germany, Japan, the USA, Australia, and Italy. His multidisciplinary training in Hatha Yoga, Kathak, Koodiyattam, and Bharatanatyam has deeply enriched his directorial vision.
Beyond performance, his legacy is preserved through documentation, including a BBC feature on his Abhimanyu performance and his biography Sanjeevana, now part of university curricula. Bannanje Sanjeeva Suvarna continues to inspire generations as a visionary artist, humanitarian, and torchbearer of Yakshagana’s living tradition.