Performing Art · Karnataka

Mahabharatha Drama

ಮಹಾಭಾರತ ನಾಟಕ

Episodes from the Mahabharata are staged across Karnataka through dance-drama traditions like Yakshagana, bringing the epic's battles and dilemmas to life.

Dance Theatre & Puppetry

Understand

Where Mahabharatha Drama comes from

The Mahabharata is a core source of stories for Karnataka's dance-drama troupes, who stage its episodes — the Pandavas' exile, the Kurukshetra war, Krishna's counsel — through the night at temple festivals.

How it's practiced

Actor-dancers in elaborate costume and makeup perform the epic's episodes in stylised movement and sung dialogue, backed by live percussion and a narrating vocalist.

Episodes from the Mahabharata are staged across Karnataka through dance-drama traditions like Yakshagana, bringing the epic's battles and dilemmas to life.

From discovery to practice

The Journey

Understand

Where Mahabharatha Drama comes from, why it started, and what it means today.

See it

Catch it live at Hampi Utsava.

Experience it

Request a booking to watch Mahabharatha Drama performed live — with the option to meet the practitioners afterwards.

Practice

Hire Mahabharatha Drama performers for your community, college or government event.

Experience it

Book the Mahabharatha Drama experience

Want to watch Mahabharatha Drama performed live? Tell us when and where you'd like to experience it, and we'll confirm the details.

Bring it to your event

Hire Mahabharatha Drama performers for your community, college or government event

Every performer WRIKSH connects you with has been personally verified. Tell us the occasion — a community celebration, a college festival, a government program — and we'll find the right group.

See it