Veteran Yakshagana artiste Gerukatte Gangaiah Shetty collapses to death on stage

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 23, 2017 : Veteran Yakshagana artiste of the Kateel Mela, Gerukatte Gangaiah Shetty (63) met a tragic  end after he collapsed  while performing on stage  at Durganagar in  Ekkar on March 22, Wednesday night.

Shetty, a renowned artiste  had kept the audience in raptured attention through his role of Arunasara in the Kateel Kshetra Mahatme  episode and was enacting the scene wherein he had to break a rock to kill a bee when he all of a sudden collapsed. Though he was immediately rushed to the KMC hospital, he had breathed his last by then.

 Shetty who was part of Kateel Mela for over 47 years  had won fame for his Mahishasura role in Devi Mahatme. However after he suffered a cardiac arrest 15 years ago, he did not don the role of Mahishasura as per doctor’s advice.

Hailing from Gerukatte in Belthangady, Gangaiah Shety had entered the Yakshagana field when he was just 16. He had secured training in Yakshagana at the Dharmasthala Yakshagana Kendra. He was also famous for his role of Rudra Bheema in Dushyasana Vadhe and for his roles of Rakta Beejasura, Mahiravana and Vali.

Shetty is survived by his wife, three sons and  innumerous admirers.