Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur
Kundapur, Nov 26: Renowned Yakshagana prasangakarta and retired teacher Kandavara Raghurama Shetty (89) passed away on Wednesday, November 26 morning.
Born in 1936 at Kandavara in Balkur village of Kundapur taluk to Karki Sadiyanna Shetty and Kandavara Puttamma, Raghurama Shetty served for nearly 35 years as an assistant teacher and later as headmaster at Netaji Higher Primary School, Kandlur. He was honoured with the ‘Model Teacher’ award during his service.
Well known in the Yakshagana field by the name ‘Kandavara’, Raghurama Shetty carved a distinct identity as an arthadhari, veshadhari, drama artiste and, above all, a highly respected prasangakarta. His association with Yakshagana began during his student days in children’s Yakshagana. He later performed in the troupe led by the late M A M Hegde, a well-known advocate from Kundapur and patron of a Yakshagana mela.
As an arthadhari, he performed alongside several prominent artistes and earned recognition in talamaddale as well. Since 1978, Kandavara Raghurama Shetty made notable contributions to Yakshagana as a prasangakarta. His prasangas such as Cheluve Chitravati, Rati Rekha, Sri Devi Banashankari and Shudra Tapaswini were widely appreciated.
He had been residing in Noojadi in his later years.