Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Apr 27: City-based Rishika Kundeshwar clinched the trophy in Zee Kannada drama Junior's season 5, emerging as the winner. State assembly speaker, opposition leaders, MLAs, MPs, and artists extended their congratulations to her through social media posts.

Speaker UT Khader, opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLAs V Sunil Kumar, Vedavyas Kamath, Harish Poonja, former MLA Raghupati Bhat, and cine artists lauded her achievement on various social media platforms.

Rishika advanced to the finals by garnering accolades and captivating the judges and Kannadigas with her impeccable dialogue delivery and acting prowess across various genres such as mythological, solo acting, historical, Janapada, classical, and comedy.

Daughter of journalist Jithendra Kundeshwara and Sandhya, Rishika hails from Kundeshwara, Karkala, and currently attends SDM School, Ashoknagar, Mangaluru. She is also a member of Balayya Yakshakoota and Yakshamadhyama team.

Actively involved in Yakshagana plays with her father, Rishika has been honing her skills in Karnataka music under Krishnaraja Nandalike and Tenkuthitta Yakshagana under Ramachandra Bhat. She secured the second runner-up position in the Hadu Nee Hadu singing reality show, clinched the second prize in reciting stories to children, and was selected at the state level for reciting Bhagavad Gita by heart in the Prathibha Karanji competition.

Impressing the judges during the drama payana mega audition, Rishika was unanimously selected among the 24 contestants. Her performance as the deity reciting Vachanas in the Allamaprabhu drama received a standing ovation from the judges, who joined her on stage in singing the Vachanas.

Her portrayal of various characters, including a small child in the Da Ra Bendre drama, the teachings of Jesus Christ during crucifixion, the fierce depiction of Shiva, the sacrifice of Dakshayani, and the love between Shiva and Parvati, among others, garnered praise from both judges and the audience.

Rishika is a student of Yakshagana and classical music, showcasing her expertise with her melodious voice in Harikathe, Yakshagana Bheema, Rama, Jamadagni, and other Janapada classical divisions.

Her portrayal of characters such as the cruel General Dayer from the Jallianwalabagh massacre, the bravery of Sala, founder of the Hoysala kingdom, patriotic martyr Capt Pranjal, Purandara Dasa, and Dharmaraya, as well as comedic roles like the baldy inspector, zoo lady officer, and beggar parents swayamvara, have left a lasting impression.