Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 8: Well-known dance Guru, Master Vittal (89) breathed his last on the night of Friday August 7 at the residence of his brother at Kavoor in the city. He was unmarried.

Master Vittal had founded his dance school under the name, 'Kala Kaustubha' in 1964 through which he imparted dance training to over 5,000 disciples. Former Kannada cine actress, Kalpana, founder of Alva's Foundation, Mohan Alva, celebrated dance teacher, Ullal Mohan Kumar, were among a few of his illustrious disciples.

This gifted performer and dance Guru had won 'Natya Shantala' award of the state government, 'Karnataka Kalashree' award, Karanth Felicitation being given by Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, as well as several other awards.

Master Vittal had learnt this art form under the tutelage of Rajan Iyer and M A Devadiga. He had a definite leaning towards dance dramas as compared to classical dance form, and hence was known for presenting some of the most captivating dance dramas using stories from mythology and history. Many of his dance dramas depicted stories from Mahabharath, Ramayana, and Bible. Even when he got opportunity to work in cinema, he chose to remain a dance Guru.