Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Apr 1: Sakkattu Lakshminarayanaiah (85), who was famously known for his excellent portrayal of ‘Bannada Veshas’ in Badagu Tittu form of Yakshagana, breathed his last at his residence on Thursday March 31. He is survived by four sons and five daughters.

The artiste, born at Sakkattu in Shiriyara near here, started getting training in Yakshagana rhythms, Bhagawatike, and dancing steps from Jambur Srinivas Bhagawat, when he was five. He entered the field of Yakshagana at the age of 13, through Amruteshwari Mela, Kota.

Lakshminarayanaiah had excellent grip over all the musical instruments, vocal support, and performing on stage, relating to Yakshagana. He took to ‘Bannada Vesha’, normally depicting demon kings, requiring elaborate make up and costumes with heavy crowns, when he was 20 years of age. He takes credit for performing alongside great Yakshagana artistes like Haradi Rama Ganiga. He was part of Mandarti Mela for about 39 years. In addition, he also had worked for Amruteshwari, Saligrama, Marnakatte, Saukoor and some other Yakshagana troupes.

Sakkattu also was handpicked by the great Dr Shivaram Karant for his ‘Yakshagana Ballets’. He toured 26 countries with the ballet troupe. He also visited USA with Martha Austin, who had taken interest in studying Yakshagana. He received a number of honours and awards including the Republic Day Award in 1959 and Haradi Rama Ganiga Award.