Chittani Ramachandra Hegde cremated as ’Karna’

Mangalore Today News Network

Honnavar, Oct 05, 2017: Renowned  Yakshagana artiste Chittani Ramachandra Hegde who passed away on Tuesday night had a dream of  enacting the role of Karna which he could never fulfill in his life time.  On Wednesday before he was cremated his face was done with make-up as the Karna of Yakshagana, thus fulfilling his wish. The doyen of Yakshagana was cremated at Honnavar  close by his residence with full state honours. His elder son Subrahmanya Hegde lit the funeral pyre.

Chittani who had donned the role of Vidyunmali  during the Sridevi Mahatme yakshagana  on September 21 as part of Yaksha Poornima  inaugural  organised by Gerusoppa Bangaramakki Shree Veeranjaneya Yaksha Mitra Mandali, had played the role of Shantanu on September 25 in Yakshagana Bheeshotpatti.  The very next day he fell ill and was admitted to Manipal Hospital. But before being rushed to hospital, he had reportedly told fellow artiste Raghava Kamanamakki that he will  enact the role of Karna upon his return. But Chittani never returned.