Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)
Kundapur, Jul 12: Reputed Yakshagana artiste of Badaguthitta, Umesh Suvarna Gopadi will be conferred with the Karavali Ratna award 2018 for Yakshagana arts service on July 23. The award will be presented by Karavali Mithra Balaga and Yaksha Sanghataka Mithrara Okkoota, Bengaluru in Ravindra arts auditorium, Bengaluru.
Umesh Suvarna, a resident of Gopadi, Kundapur has been serving as Yakshagana artiste for the last 28 years. He is the main artiste in Maranakatte A troupe at present.
Born to Gopadi Golibettu resident, late Koosa Suvarna and Gulabi couple, he was attracted towards late Kalinga Navada Ganasiga and Yakshagana as he grew up. He received training in steps and dance from Irodi Rama Ganiga and in acting by Yakshagana artiste K P Hegde. He was assigned as co-artiste for Maranakatte troupe in 1989-90. He aquired experience from the disciplined troupe managed by late M M Hegde.
Gopadi's poetic songs has received sufficient popularity. Several CDs and cassettes of his participation in Yakshagana are released. He has served as creator of Yakshagana songs, besides being director, stage organizer and teacher to several students. He has also worked as an artiste in Uppinakudru Yakshagana puppet show and has toured Japan, Hong Kong, Russia and Belgium for programmes. He has received several awards, honours and felicitations.
Gopadi expressed his joy of having been selected for Karavali Ratna award. He leads a satisfactory life with wife Revathi, daughter Nadashree and son Modan.
Identifying such talent in Badaguthitta Yakshagana troupe and honoring them is worth commending.