Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Sep 19: Kanyana Keshava Master (85), a veteran Yakshagana all-rounder and dance teacher, breathed his last on Friday September 18 due to illness, at his residence at Kanyana Delantabettu near Vittal in the taluk. He is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.

Keshava Master, who was among the first to introduce Bharatnatyam and Kathakkali dance styles in Yakshagana performances, was an excellent artiste, and was able to infuse life into any types of characters, be it female, adventurist roles or mature ones.  He worked as Yakshagana artiste in Kundavu and Karnataka Yakshagana troupes for over four decades.

Master had worked with stalwarts like Mambady, Balipa, Kuriya Vittal Shastri, Alike Ramaiah Rai, Bannada Malinga etc. Several people from Vittal region became expert dancers because of him. He had been felicitated at Bantwal Taluk Sammelan and some other forums.

Zilla panchayat vice-president Jagannath Salian, senior theatre personality Manju Vittal etc., have mourned the death of Keshava Master.