Yakshagana artist Kodi Kusta Ganiga passes away
He was 78 and is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter.
Ganiga was a veteran 'stree veshadhari' (who performed women roles) of both Tenkuthittu and Badaguthittu schools of Yakshagana.
Yakshagana Kalaranga of Udupi had felicitated him by presenting its Suvarana Puraskar with a purse of ₹50,000 on May 31. He was among 50 artists aged above 70 years who were presented with the award on that day.
Ganiga learnt 'hejjegarike' of Badaguthittu from Heranjalu Venkatramana Gangia and 'hejjegarike' of Tenkuthittu from Padre Chandu.
He was known for performing the roles of Devi, Nandini, Subhadra, Mandodari, Droupadi, Kayadu, Seethe, Ambe, Damayanthi, Maya Poothani, Maya Shoorpanakhi, and Chandramathi.
Ganiga also performed the roles of Parashurama, Vishnu and Krishna.
He performed in Yakshagana melas of Amrutheswari, Maranakatte, Kalavihara, Rajarajeshwari, and Kateel. He performed in Kateel mela for over three decades.
M. Gangadhar Rao and Murli Kadekar, president and secretary, respectively, of Yakshagana Kalaranga have condoled the death of Ganiga.
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