Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Dec 24: Veteran theatre and movie artiste, M R Krishnamurthy Bhagavathar (85) from Putrody Padumane near Badiyadka in the district, breathed his last at his residence on Wednesday December 22. He is survived by wife, a son, and a daughter.

Bhagavathar, whose original name was Koragappa Rai, left home for Mysore in his childhood, driven by the desire to get training in music. He was a disciple of M V Narasimhacharya. After getting acquainted with Subbaiah Naidu, he joined his theatre troupe. For 45 years, he remained the top artiste of Gubbi Veeranna Drama Troupe, donning the role of the hero, and singing his own songs. Bhagavathar was a close associate of veteran artistes like Dr Rajkumar, B V Karant, G V Ayyar, Udayakumar, and Vasudeva Rao. The number of shows he featured in exceeded 10,000.

This great artiste had acted in eight Kannada films including ‘Bedara Kannappa’ along with Dr Rajkumar. After the Gubbi Company was shut down, he worked for Belur Chennakeshava Nataka Sangha and Nandikeshwara Nataka Sangha. He had won several awards, including Karnataka Nataka Academy award, and he had been felicitated at various forums.