Yashodhara Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 3: Senior Yakshagana artiste Mijar Annappa, known for his comic roles, passed away on Sunday April 3. He was 93.
With a vast experience of over 70 years in Yakshagana in the Thenkuthittu form, Mijar Annappa is fondly remembered for his roles of 'Vidushaka' (comedian) in several Yakshagana plays.
In recognition of his service to Yakshagana, Mijar Annappa was honoured with several awards including Karnataka State Award in 1992, Tulu Sahitya Academy Award, Pulincha award, Yaksha Kalanidhi Award by the Delhi-based Academy of Thenku Thittu Yakshagana (ATTY), honours in Dubai and Bahrain and more.
Born to Koraga Gowda and Parvati in 1923 in Mijar, he did his primary schooling at Shree Vanivilasa Higher Primary School in Ashwathpura. The town of Mijar became synonymous with his name.
He was attracted to Yakshangana from a young age. His first Yakshagana performance was in 1940 at Kudlu Mela organized by Beltangady Patels. During this time, he was tutored by renowned scholars like Kudlu Subraya Shanbaug.
In 1941, he joined Kateel Mela and performed in various places for the next two years. He then performed for 10 years with Ira Somanatheshwara Mela led by Kallady Koraga Shetty, 38 years with Karnataka Mela led by Kallady Vittal Shetty and his son Kallady Devi Prasad Shetty, and two years with Karnataka Mela under Kishan Hegde. He spent the last two years of his service in the Yakshagana field with Kateel Mela.
Annappa, who was trained in the early part of his career by Sannapparaya in Yakshagana, carved out a unique place for himself by breathing life into the roles of Bahuka in 'Nala Damayanti' episodes, Papanna of 'Panna Vijaya', Vikshipta of 'Manishada', Kaukabhatta of 'Satya Harishchandra', Payyabaidya of 'Koti Chennaya', Kashimani of 'Bedara Kannappa', Kajumugera of 'Kachchoora Maldi', and the role of Bomma in 'Kaudooru Bomma'k eisode. The last one is being treated as the best role the gifted artiste ever performed during his lifetime.
Mijar Annappa leaves behind his wife, son and a daughter.