Deep in the rural heartlands of Kundapura, the art of Yakshagana puppetry has been kept alive for generations by the Kamath family, who run the Gombe Mane Academy. For over 350 years, this family has been preserving this beautiful traditional art form, which is an integral part of the region's cultural heritage. However, the academy's ability to stage performances was hindered by the lack of a reliable source of electricity. That's when Ventana Foundation stepped in with a generous donation of a generator set, proving that the love for cultural preservation knows no bounds.

Yakshagana is an ancient form of puppetry that has been passed down through the generations for hundreds of years. The puppets are exquisitely crafted and adorned in colorful costumes and jewelry, representing gods and demons from Indian mythology. The puppeteers perform stories from epics, legends, and folk tales, using the puppets to bring the characters to life. The art form has been kept alive by dedicated families like the Kamaths, who have been training young people in the skills of puppetry for generations.

The Gombe Mane Academy is the first puppet academy in India, and it was set up by the Kamath family to provide a platform for artists to showcase their skills. However, the academy's ability to stage performances was hindered by the lack of a reliable source of electricity. Power cuts and fluctuations were a constant problem, and it was difficult to put on a performance without a stable power supply. Despite these challenges, the Kamaths remained steadfast in their mission to preserve this ancient art form.

That's when the Ventana Foundation came to the rescue. Sudhir and Ravindra K, members of the VF team, visited Gombe Mane and were struck by the dedication and passion of the Kamaths. They knew that providing a reliable source of power would go a long way in helping the academy fulfill its mission. After several visits by different technicians to assess the power requirements of the facility, a generator set was chosen for execution. Mr. Kamath, from his end, put in efforts to get the DG room ready and the surrounding area cleaned.

The inauguration of the generator set was a momentous occasion for Gombe Mane. Ms. Shilpa Bhat, a trustee of the Ventana Foundation, and her mother, along with Ravindra K (Trustee), Shylaja Rao, and Vignesh Shet (99Games), attended the program. The DG room now has Ventana Foundation's name engraved in stone, the facility was formally inaugurated by Ms. Shilpa Bhat. A musical was organized for the day, and the audience was treated to some excellent local delicacies like Moode. All in all, the day was a true celebration of culture, art, and the spirit of collaboration.

The impact of the generator set on the academy has been transformative. With a reliable power source, Gombe Mane can now stage performances with confidence and without any interruptions. The academy can now continue to train young puppeteers and aspiring artists and showcase the beauty of lost art to audiences across the region.