Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 29: Veteran Kannada theatre actor Yashavant Saradeshpande (60) passed away on Monday morning due to a heart attack.
Saradeshpande had performed a play in Dharwad on Sunday night and returned to Bengaluru on Monday morning. He was rushed to Fortis Hospital, where he succumbed to the cardiac arrest around 10 am.
A stalwart of Kannada theatre, Saradeshpande gained fame through his humorous plays, particularly the acclaimed ‘All The Best’, which he both directed and acted in. He also appeared in several television shows and films. His wife, Malathi, is a popular theatre and television artist as well.
Hailing from Ukkali village, Basavan Bagewadi Taluk, Vijayapura district, Yashavant trained in theatre at Ninasam, Heggodu and later received advanced training in playwriting and film dialogues from New York University.
He directed over 60 plays, including Andhayuga, Inspector General, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Boodige Mane, Kitturu Rani Chennamma, Pushparani, Galivarana Yatre, Bepputakkadi Bole Shankara, Tunta Makkala Tante, Makkalerade Irali, Kunta Kunta Kuravatti, among others.
Saradeshpande also brought all of Bendre’s plays to stage through Rangavartula and Bendre Rangavali, and prepared programmes for radio and television. His notable works on stage included ‘All The Best’, Rashi Chakra, Sahi Ree Sahi, Dil Mange More’. His solo performance in the comedy play ‘Rashi Chakra’ received widespread appreciation.
On television, he appeared in series such as Yadwa-Tadwa, Banna Buguri, Dashavatara, Parva, Tunturu, and also worked as a dialogue writer for films including Ram Shyam Bham, where he collaborated with Kamal Haasan to incorporate the regional dialect of North Karnataka. He also acted in films like Athithi, Marma, Joojat, Spudent, Amruthadhare.
Saradeshpande served as the former director of Davanagere’s professional theatre group Rangayana. He was scheduled to act in the upcoming ‘Kolalu’ play in October alongside renowned flute artist Pandit Praveen Godkhindi.
His death marks a significant loss to the Kannada theatre and cultural community, leaving behind a legacy of humour, innovation, and dedication to stage and screen arts.