Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (NM)

Bantwal, Mar 23: Senior Yakshagana artiste Siddakkate Chennappa Shetty, a resident of Mavina katte near Vamapadau, in Bantwal passed away on Saturday, March 22 after a brief illness. He was 62.

He is survived by his wife Hemalatha and three sons.

On March 18, Chennappa, after performing Yakshagana at Tallur, Kundapur, was returning home along with other crew. During the journey, he fell ill and and was taken to hospital.

The doctor told the family that Chennappa suffered from haemorrhage and was shifted to the Intense Care Unit (ICU). However, on Saturday, he breathed his last. 

The artiste was known for his skills and mastery over both ‘Tenkutittu and  ‘Badaguthittu’ forms. He was well versed with the oration in Yakshagana and Talamaddale. He had a huge fan following.

He was trained in Yakshagana at training centres in Karkala’s Bhuvanendra College and Sri Venkataramana Swamy College in Bantwal.

He was the recipient of district Rajyotsava award and also served as a Yakshagana repertory artiste for four decades.

A condolence meeting will be held at Sri Krishna Kalyan Mandir in Kadri at 5 pm on Sunday.