Yakshagana artiste Vishwanath Shetty passes away

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 2, 2016: The well known and renowned Yakshagana artiste Siddakatte Vishwanath Shetty passed away on July 1, Friday morning at the age of 71.

Shetty worked in both Thenku and Badagu Thittu schools of Yakshagana. Initially, he participated in Thenku Thittu melas and later joined Badagu Thittu Saligrama Mela and served for past 25 years.

He was known for presenting dialogues as per the nature of the character. His well-known characters were Parashurama in Bhisma Vijaya, Mahogra Muni in Brahma Kapala, Vasishta of Sathya Harichandra, Vishwamithra of Seetha Kalyana, Rama of Panchavati, Sanjaya of Gadayuddha and Akrura of Kamsa Vadhe. He is well-known for mild natured characters.

In Thenku Thittu, his known characters were Jambhava, Perumala Ballala, Chandugidi and Devapoonja.

He served in Kateel, Kadri, Karnataka, Mangaladevi, Saligrama and Hiriadka melas.

He was well-known as an artiste of Talamaddale and his dialogues were colloquial and character based. He participated in Talamaddale with well-known contemporary artistes.