Yakshagana is the typical folk form of dance-drama in the Mangalore region, commonly staged at night. Similar to Kathakali, this folk art was originated somewhere in between 10th and 16th century. In ancient days, it was performed as a ballad singing art form which was later converted to a dance drama, performed by a single dancer. The current form of yakshagana with various characters were introduced during the 17th and 18th century. Literally means the song (gana) of Yakshas (benign spirit, demi-god or deva-swarup who frequently appears in Hinduism's sacred stories), this traditional theater form combines dance, music, actor-created dialogues, costume-makeup, and stage technique with a distinct style. Moreover a medium of entertainment, yakshagana also offers a brief insight into the life style and culture of the people.