Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Jul 31: Renowed Yakshagana artiste Gangadhar Shetty Navoor of Bappanadu Mela passed away due to cardiac arrest here on Monday July 31.

A resident of Navoor in Beltangady taluk, Shetty and his team of Yakshagana artistes were camped at Vamadapadavu for the past two months. Shetty had taken a leave of 15 days and returned on Monday morning, and was in a rented house. The rest of the artistes in the troupe had gone to distribute invitations for their performance. When they later to came to his house, they found Gangadhar Shetty collapsed on the floor. He was rushed to the government hospital here, where he was declared dead.

Gangadhar Shetty's eyes were donated by his family members, as per his wish.

Satyapal Rai of Bappanadu Mela expressed deep shock about the popular artiste's demise. "The departure of Gangadhar Shetty has caused irreparable loss to Yakshagana. May the Almighty grant him eternal peace," he said.