Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Nov 23: Patla Satish Shetty, a renowned Yakshagana 'Bhagavata' of Kateel Mela, was stopped from performing in a Yakshagana programme held at the Kateel temple's premises. The video of the incident which took place on Friday, November 23, has gone viral.

The management of the Kateel Yakshagana troupe had forced Patla Sathish Shetty to return from the venue when he came to give a performance on Friday night.

While talk that Yakshagana artiste Sathish Shetty is left out from Kateel mela group is making rounds, Patla in a response to a private TV channel said that an insult in a drama theatre is equal to death.

Patla Satish Shetty

“I am eager to serve Goddess Durgaparameshwari as long as I am alive. I had no expectations or demands. An artiste should not be insulted in this manner. It is equal to death of the artiste. The incident happened at Kateel Car Street in the vicinity of Devi’s presence. An artiste or the leader should not be made to get up from a platform in front of audience and sent away.

“The Gejje Muhurtha of Durgaparameshwari temple was held on Friday evening in gaiety and I had taken part when it was set in motion for the term 2019-20. There was no advance information to me not to go to the dais. But I was insulted after going there. I have never spoken against the management any time. The mela that is being held in Kateel temple is not the property of anybody. I am working in the service of Goddess Durgaparameshwari for the last 20 years. Though I had received offers from other melas, I had not desired them as the service of Kateel was important for me. Therefore, I believe that Goddess Durgaparameshwari will call me again for her service. I have offered my turban at the feet of the mother while returning from temple,” he said.