Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Jun 23: Well-known Yakshagana artiste, Adoor Sridhar Rao (78) who was a skilled creator of Yakshagana masks too, breathed his last at his residence after a brief illness on Monday June 22. He is survived by wife and two sons.

Rao, son of the late Ramachandraiah and Keveriamma, had started to work at Mumbai after securing engineering degree. However, finding it impossible to escape from strong attraction and flair for Yakshagana he felt, he came back to his hometown and became the manager of Adoor Mahalingeshwara Yakshagana Mela. He gave new birth to ancient and traditional Yakshagana head gears and crowns found in his house. He began to create authentic, traditional Yakshagan masks, and carved out fame and name for himself in this field.

Rao was consulted by Yakshagana enthusiasts about the specific manner in which make up of different kinds of Yakshagana roles should be done, including the colour combination, armour, ornaments, head gears, garlands, belts, wrist bands etc. Some of the Yakshagana artifacts he created adorn the collections of former President of India, Abdul Kalam, and former Karnataka chief minister, S M Krishna.

Rao also authored a research work, 'Yakshagana Kalegala Varnavaibhava'. He won several awards including Janapada Yakshagana Academy award, Balipa award, Sullia Rotary award, and Kalkura foundation award. The colourful Yakshagana masks created by him depicting the role of 'Athikaya' were distributed by Rotary Club under World Exchange Friendship Programme, to foreign institutions.

His collection has about 80 different face masks complete with authentic designs, colour combinations, and ornaments.