Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Jul 26: Kundapura Kodi Krishna Ganiga is one of the finest Yakshagana artistes who have given a different approach to certain characters of the art due to their own intelligent interpretation and study of the character.

The speciality is that Kodi Krishna Ganiga, who is called as Kodi Kushta Ganiga, though not known to the Yakshagana lovers of the present time, had created waves in the 1970s and 80s. The name earned by him still lives in the memories of Yakshagana lovers of yesteryear.

Ganiga was the one who gave a unique approach to the character of Devi in the Devi Mahatme Yakshagana show of Kateel troupe. His Devi character was very famous during those days. Even today, in the Thenku style the path of Ganiga is followed. During those days, Devi character played by Ganiga and Mahishasura character played by Bannada Kuttappu were very popular in Kateel Mela. He used to don the role of Kaushike after playing Mahishamardini in Devi Mahatme. He used to change the facial colours during the last half of Devi Mahatme. His role of Nandini in Kshethra Mahatme of Kateel troupe is another example of his deep study of the character. The roles of Jabali played by Peruvai Narayana Shetty Padre Chandu and Nandini of Ganiga were eye-catching to the audience. The role of Nandini is very unique as it challenges the artistes. Young age, irritating nature, arrogance and lowly feeling about people are the qualities of Jabali character. Nandini is exactly opposite to this role. The troupe had doyens of Yakshagana like Trivikrama Shenoy, Guddappa Gowda and Bheema Bhatta during the 21 years of touring Ganiga has done with the Kateel troupe.

Kodi Kushta Ganiga was born in 1947 to Laxman Ganiga and Manji . He studied till sixth grade at Kodi Soans School. He studied the first Yakshagana steps from Heranjalu Venkatramana Ganiga. Then he toured with Amritheshwari troupe for three years and with Maranakatte troupe for two years. He joined Kalavihara mela of Kalladi Vittal Shetty in 1968. He toured one year each with Kalavihara troupe and Rajarajeshwari troupe. He learnt Thenkuthittu Yakshagana from Padre Chandru and joined Kateel troupe in 1970. Ganiga joined as a second woman's role and created his own identity in the troupe.

The roles of Devi and Nandini were reserved for Ganiga. His role as women characters are still recalled by the Yakshagana lovers of those times. He donned various women roles like Subhadre, Mandodari, Tare, Draupadi, Kayadu, Sita, Mohini, Mayapootani, Maya Shoorpanaki and Rati.

Ganiga retired from professional Yakshagana in 1991. Now he is self-employed. He lives in Kodi with his three sons and a daughter.

The 74-year-old Ganiga, who has served the art of Yakshagana for more than four decades has received Udupi Kalaranga award, Haradi Rama Ganiga award, Yakshadhruva Patla Foundation award, Yaksha Kalavedike award, Rangasthala Bengaluru award, Maranakatte temple award and G Shankar family trust award.