Uppinangady: Veteran Yakshagana artiste Paataala Venkataramana Bhat passes away at 92

Mangalore Today News Network

Uppinangady, July 19, 2025: Renowned Yakshagana artiste and Rajyotsava Award recipient Paataala Venkataramana Bhat (92) passed away due to a heart attack on Saturday at his residence in Uppinangady.

A distinguished performer in both the Thenku and Badagu styles of Yakshagana, Bhat was known for his expressive acting and graceful dance. Despite completing only up to the third grade, he joined the Kanchana Drama Company in 1951 as a cook, and soon, due to his natural talent, was given key female roles on stage.

He joined professional Yakshagana troupes in 1953 and continued to perform until his retirement in 1981. During this period, he earned acclaim in both Yakshagana styles and performed with various troupes including Saukooru, Mulki, Surathkal, and Dharmasthala (1964–81).

Bhat brought his own unique flair to iconic characters like Rambha, Urvashi, Menaka, Satyabhama, Subhadra, Draupadi, Meenakshi, and Swayamprabha. He even studied the gestures of the stone sculptures of Belur’s Shila Balikas and incorporated those elements into his performances.

His contributions were widely recognized, earning him several accolades including the Manivila Award from the Hindu Dharma Sangha in Chennai, the Karnataka Janapada Academy Award, Kannada Sahitya Parishat Award, Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Yakshagana Kalaranga Award, Vittla Gopalakrishna Bhat Pratishtana Award, Vidyamanya Award, Yaksha Kalanidhi Award, Agari Award, Karavali Yakshagana Mandali Award, B.B. Shetty Award, Pattaje Award, Deraje Award, and Kalkura Award, among many others.

He is survived by his elder son and Yakshagana artiste Ambaprasad Paataala, younger son and Uppinangady C.A. Bank Director Shrirama Bhat Paataala, four daughters, several grandchildren, and a large extended family.