A local favourite in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, Yakshagana is a popular dance-drama in the northern area of Kasaragod district as well. A famous temple art form, it is performed in a majority of cultural programmes in the area. Yakshagana is synonymous with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments, which are employed in depicting stories from the great Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Usually recited in Kannada, it is also performed in Malayalam as well as Tulu (the dialect of south Karnataka), with percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals) acting as the perfect accompanying orchestra.