Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Jul 6: Kadandelu Purushotham Bhat, the senior most among the present Yakshagana artistes passed away in a private hospital here on Saturday July 5 morning.
Purushotham Bhat was honored with Karnataka Yakshagana Academy award, Asranna award, Sri Yaksha Deva award of Beluvayi and other awards and felicitations from several groups and associations. He was popular for his part of Devi played by him in Yakshagana plays.
He is known for his published works 'Om Mayaleela' and 'Sri Devi Stuthi' in sestet. A CD of holy hymns concerning Kateel Durge deity was also released by him.
Purushotham Bhat who traveled and took part in Yakshagana groups in Mulki Korakkodu, Koodlu, Ira and subsequently in Kateel group attained fame by playing the part of Devi during five days Devi Mahatme
programme in 1943.
Bhat who used to walk three to four kilometers at a stretch was also popular playing the parts of Kaike, Shakuntale, Ambe, Mandodari, Chandramati, Seethe, Droupadi, Chitrangade etc. He left the group on
May 25, 1970.
Pejawar Swami had once come for Yakshagana. The scene of Rama going to the forest was on. Bhat had played the part of Kaikei. Soon after the episode, Swami called Bhat and said, “I did not get a
stone. If not, I would have hit you with it”. Bhat was happy that his part was so effective.
Bhat had also played male parts of Valala, Chandamarka, Brahmakapala's Brahma, Vishwamitra, Doorvasa etc. Purushotham Bhat was the witness disclosing three fourth of a century old Yakshagana world. Purushotham Bhat has five sons and a daughter.