Daijiworld Media Network—Karkala (EP)
Karkala, Feb 21: The Venkat Rao Memorial Award given to outstanding Yakshagana artistes annually is to be conferred on senior artiste Renjala Ramakrishna Rao of Kateelu Mela, this year. The award will be presented in Kukkundooru Durgaparameshwari Temple in the presence of Moodbidri Jain Mutt Swami on Saturday February 21 at 8 pm.
“‘Yakshagana Koodata’, ‘Mahishamardini’, and ‘Valimoksha’ in Kannada, and ‘Amarashilpi Veera Shambhu Kalkuda Tulu Yakshagana Bayalata’ will be held on the occasion,” said programme organizer Udaya Rao.
Though from a poverty-stricken background, late Karkala Kukkundooru Venkat Rao was rich in talent. He was humble in real life but great dignity and charisma while on stage.
Though he could not buy a house, he started a Yakshagana group and association. He taught Yakshagana to several people and nurtured several Yakshagana artistes. His pupils are steering ‘Yaksharanga’ even now.
People remember his part in ‘Mahishasura’, ‘Arjuna’, ‘Koti’, and ‘Budyanta’ among others. He has the unique distinction of having acted as a villain and a comedian. He devoted his life to Yakshagana.
Rao was born as the fourth son of well-known dramatist and speaker late Narayana Shanbhog and Kamalamma in 1934. He studied only till class 7.
With the blessings of his father, Rao joined ‘Saukooru Mela’ and started to perform in gatherings. He joined a group of youth in 1961 along with his elder brother Srinivasa Rao and started Kukkundooru Durga Parameshwari Yakshagana Mandali troupe in tents. Rao became the main participant in their two years of performances.
He later joined ‘Perdooru Mela’ of Badaguthitta. He joined Jagannatha Shetty and Mahabala Shetty, created the play ‘Kotichennaya’ and staged it successfully. He started the Yakshagana Nataka Sabha in Kukkundooru after retiring from Mela in 1970. His pupil Sheena Moily started Durga Children's Mela in 1980. It is being run by Ramesh Moily now. The children of Rao are professional artistes. His brother’s son Umesh Rao is also a recognized artiste.