Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 18: Ramesh Karkera, the renowned artiste of Kalajagattu theatre troupe and title holder of Tuluva Tenali and Hasyachakravarti, Karnataka Rajyotsav awardee passed away following brief illness at Bombay Hospital, here on Thursday July 18.

Ramesh, a native of Chitrapu, Mulky in Mangalore taluk, arrived in Mumbai over 3 decades ago, pursued studies at Saraswati Night School and Siddarth College. He joined Kalajagattu theatre troupe and mesmerized the viewers as comedy artiste. He had acted in Krishnan Katti, E Nalkedaye, Bhootada Ill, Oriye Mage Oriye, Barsa, Navilladaga Oore Gati, Pundi Pandave and other popular plays that enthralled the viewers. He was a famed actor in the movies Maari Bale and Ek Kahani.

Ramesh was involved in several theatre troupes such as Udaya Ranga, Sadanand Suvarna troupe, Navodaya drama troupe and had acted in over 200 dramas and was much sought-after artiste. He served as president of Veerakesari Kalavrunda, Goregaon Karnataka Sangh Rangastala, Kannadiga Kalavidara Parishat Maharashtra and other social welfare organizations.

Sadanand Suvarna, Vijay Kumar Shetty of Kalajagattu theatre troupe, Surendra Kumar Hegde, Mohan Marnad, S T Vijay Kumar, Devdas Salian, Srinath Mulky, Sa Daya, Dr Bharat Kumar Polipu, Ravi A Shetty, Naresh Amin, Karnoor Mohan Rai, Omdas Kannangarincluding Goregaon Karnataka Sangh, Veerakesari Kalavrunda, the office bearers of Kannadiga Kalavidara Parishat and hundreds of theatre artistes condoled the sudden demise of popular artiste Ramesh.

Ramesh was an employee of Mogaveer Co-operative Bank Ltd. He is survived by his wife and a son. The mortal remains of Ramesh were placed for public homage at his residence in Mira Road (East) here and final rites were held at the crematorium in Mira Road (East).