Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Aug 13: State award-winning Yakshagana artiste, Heranjal Venkatramana Ganiga, breathed his last at his residence in Nagur in the taluk, on Wednesday August 11. Ganiga, one of the highly respected artistes belonging to Badagu Tittu form of Yakshagana, is survived by wife, three daughters and three sons.

Ganiga, who initially was known for donning female lead roles in Yakshagana episodes, later forayed into other roles too. His skills were honed by Kota Shivaram Karant, under the Yakshagana ballet project conceptualized by the former. He was the founder of Heranjal Yakshagana Foundation and former principal of Udupi Srimaya Kala Kendra. He had worked for over 50 years in Yakshagana Melas like Mandarti, Saligrama and Idagunji.

Heranjal had been conferred several awards including Kargallu Award, Haradi Rama Ganiga Award, M M Hegde Award, Srinivas Udupa Award, Kota Vaikuntha Award  and G Shankar Award.

Various dignitaries have grieved the death of Heranjal Venkatramana Ganiga, who had made immense contributions to Yakshagana art form through his dedicated services.