Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Oct 3: Renowned Yakshagana artiste, first Padma Shri recepient Chittani Ramachandra Hegde passed away in a hospital here on Tuesday October 3. He was 84.

The legendary artiste had been admitted to a hospital here for fever and breathing problems. He suffered a stroke and was in the ICU from some days.

Hegde hailed from Chittani in Honnavar of Uttara Kannada district. He rendered remarkable service to the field of Yakshagana for 20 years, taking the coastal art form of Karnataka to national levels. Having started his career at the tender age of seven, he began donning main roles from the age of 14, and went on to perfect the Yakshagana art form.

He had even earned praise and appreciation from the legend of Kannada cinema the late Dr Rajkumar.

During his career, he donned the roles of Kaurava, Keechaka, 'Dushtabuddi', 'Bhasmasura' and others, excelling in each of his performance. His style became so popular that it came to be known as 'Chittani Gharana'.

For the past nine years, his fans have been hosting 'Chittani Yaksha Saptaha' in his honour, in which Hegde himself used to take part. The next Yaksha Saptaha was scheduled to be held from October 22 to 28.

He had the distinction of receiving the first Padma Shri for Yakshagana, in 2012 from the hands of the then President Pratibha Patil.

Among the other awards he received were K Shivaram Karanth award in 2009 by Kotathattu gram panchayat, Karnataka, Janapadashri Award in 2004, Rajyotsava Award in 1991, Aryabhata International Award by Aryabhata Cultural Organization and Alva's Nudisiri Award–2012.