Puttur: Yakshagana artiste par excellence Sheenappa Bhandary no more

Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jun 25: Yakshagana artiste, Sheenappa Bhandary (88), who had won state award for his service to this art form, breathed his last in a hospital here after a brief illness, on Monday June 24.

He is survived by wife, five sons, and two daughters.

Sheenappa, born to Doomappa-Daramma couple, dropped out of school after finishing fifth standard. He was trained in Yakshagana under the tutelage of Bovikanna. He worked for Kadri, Koodlu, and Dharmasthala Yakshagana troupes for several years.

After working for a few years for Ballambettu Yakshagana troupe, he became a part of Subrahmanya Mela. He worked to popularize Yakshagana art form in rural areas through his excellent portrayal of mythological roles like Kaurava, Kamsa, Hiranyakashipu, Shumbha etc. He was a recipient of awards and felicitations from various organizations.

All of Bhandary’s sons are involved with Yakshagana art. One of his sons, Sridhar Bhandary, has been identified as one of the important Yakshagana artistes of the time.