Udupi: Veteran Sankeerthana artiste Santa Bhadragiri Achyutadas no more
Pics: Manju Neereshwallya
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Oct 23: Senior Sankeerthana artiste Sant Bhadragiri Achyutadas died of heart attack at his residence in Rajajinagar Bangalore on Tuesday October 22. He was 83.
Achyutadas, who was the honorary president of Keerthana Kala Parishat, basically hailed from Bhadragiri in Brahmavar. He was among four brothers and four sisters and from the past one month, he was suffering from illness.
He was well-known among people for his singing and sense of humour. He used to narrate Sankeerthana in Konkani, Marathi, Tulu and Kannada languages.
He also preached to people the philosophical ideas of Harivamsha, Ramayana, Mahabharatha and other epics. In order to popularize the diminishing art of Sankeerthana among people, Achyutdas along with his brother the late Bhadragiri Keshav Das had organized various conventions. In recognition of their services, they were bestowed with ‘Sant’ title.
Togetherm, the brothers presented a number of Harikatha programmes in various places including undivided Dakshina Kannada district. He was also a Yakshagana artiste.
If his brother Keshavdas narrated Hari Sankeerthana in English language in foreign countries, Achyutadas popularized the art in India. In 1958, he shifted his residence to Bangalore.
Awarda and recognitions
To his credit, Achyutadas has won several awards like Kannada Rajyotsava, Kanaka Purandara, Paryaya Prashasthi from Pejawar Swamiji, award from Sri Sudheendratirtha Swamiji of Sri Kashi Math and several others.
In 1955, during Chaturmyasa Vrutha in Sri Venkataramana temple in Udupi, Sri Sudheendratirtha Sripadha had honoured him with a 'peta'.
The mortal remains of Achyutadas will be kept for public viewing on Wednesday October 23 from 7 am to 11 am at an open ground near Dhobhigat in Rajajinagar. The final rites will be held at a 12 pm in Chamarajpet.
Sri Vishweshatirtha Swamiji of Udupi Pejawar Math, Karnataka Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor, district president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Konkani Sahitya Academy former president Kasargod Chinna, Bhuvanabhirama Udupa among others condoled his demise.