Mangalore: Noted Yakshagana Artiste Karnur Koragappa Rai Passes Away

Daijiworld Media Network - MM / NF
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje (File Pics)

Mangalore, Jun 12:  Noted Yakshagana artiste Karnur Koragappa Rai (58), passed away after a prolonged illness on Thursday, June 12.

He was recognized as Yakshagana artiste, singer artiste and organizer. He lost his  leg few years ago due to gangrene. He could not actively participate in the  Yakshagana field after that tragedy.

Karnur Koragappa Rai has won the prestigious Late Dogra Poojary award and Nudisiri award recently. He performed in the Karnataka Yakshagana troupe, Koodlu troupe, Sunkadakatte troupe and Dharmastala troupe. He led the Kadri Yakshagana troupe for over a decade.

Speaking to daijiworld, well known Yakshagana artiste and scholar Dr Prabhakar Joshy said  that Karnur Koragappa Rai was outstanding in his performance and had his own different style. He organized Yakshaganas even during the monsoons in the 70s’ and 80s’ and thus kept the art alive. Besides,  he brought together northern and southern artists, he said.

Pradeepkumar Kalkura, president of Dakshina Kannada Sahitya Parishat expressed his condolence on  the death of Karnur Koragappa Rai.