Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (Viju Mangalore)
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Mangalore, Jul 18: A renowned Yakshagana stalwart of the Tenkuthittu style, Octogenarian Dr Haridasa Sheni Gopalakrishna passed away at 2 pm at his residence in Kasargod on Tuesday Jul 18.
 
Sheni as he was popularly known suffered a cardiac arrest on Tuesday. He was 89 years old.

Born in 1917 to Lakshmiamma and Narayan Bhat, Sheni’s contribution to the field of Yakshagana has been immense. He served the arena of folk arts for around 50 years.

He was famed for his favourite role Bappa Byari in Yakshagana. A multifaceted artiste, Sheni was also a mridangam expert and was also an exponent of recital of the Bhagavatike. He has written several Yakshagana prasangas and dramas.

His Harikathe narration and Tallamaddale Yakshagana took him to neighbouring and far-off countries.

Mangalore University on June 24, 2005 conferred an honorary doctorate degree on him.

Sheni is the recipient of the Karnataka State Award, Kerala Sangeeta Nataka award, Karnataka Folk and Yakshaghana Academy Award, Shringeri Math Yakshagana Kalanidhi Award, Malpe Shankaranaryana Samaga Award, and several other awards.

The funeral ceremony was held in Kasargod on Tuesday.