Yakshagana is a form of ballet dance, having its own unique
heritage. Dr. Kota Shivarama Karanth, a Novelist, Play Writer,
Essayist, Encyclopediationist, Cultural Anthropologist, Artist,
Writer of Science, Environmentalist and Jnanapeeth awardee, had
developed a new form of `Yakshagana' and the Director of the
Academy of General Education, Manipal expired in December 1997.
Dealing with a copyright dispute emerging from his work, involving
the Academy he chaired and his beneficiary, is the matter of
Academy of General Education, Manipal and Anr. v. B. Manini
Mallya 2009 (39) PTC 393 (SC) in appeal from the Karnataka
High Court' verdict.
Yakshagana Ballet had been developed by Dr. Karanth and was
performed in New Delhi in September 2001. Manini Mallya, in whose
favour Dr. Karanth had executed his Will had filed a suit for
declaration, injunction and damages alleging violation of the
copyright in respect of the said dance vested in her in accordance
with the terms of
