Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Aug 1: Renowned Badagutittu Yakshagana comedian Kasarakodu Sridhar Subraya Bhat passed away on Friday following illness. He was 51.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and a large number of admirers.

Inspired by veteran Yakshagana artistes Keremane Shivarama Hegde and his elder relative Narasimha Bhat, Sridhar Bhat began learning Yakshagana at the age of 16 under Heranjalu Venkataramana Ganiga at the Keremane Yakshagana Centre. He joined a professional troupe at the age of 18 and went on to render 33 years of service to the art form.

During his career, he performed with renowned Yakshagana troupes including Idagunji, Saligrama, Mandarthi and Gundabala Melas for 13 years before continuing as a guest artiste with various other troupes.

Known for his distinctive style, spontaneous dialogue delivery, lively dance and expressive acting, Sridhar Bhat carved a niche for himself in Yakshagana comedy without imitating any other artiste. He earned acclaim for portraying several mythological comic characters, including Chandagopa, Rajaka, Nandishetty, Behinachara and Ajji.

Apart from acting, he was also an accomplished chande percussionist.

Yakshagana Kalaranga president M Gangadhara Rao and secretary Murali Kadekar have expressed deep condolences over his demise, describing it as an irreparable loss to the Yakshagana fraternity.