A Yakshagana artiste died of suspected cardiac arrest while performing on stage at Jogijaddu in Yalajith village near Kollur, Udupi district late on Saturday night.
The deceased is Chandrahasa Hudugodu. He was enacting the character of Salva in Yakshagana titled 'Bheeshma Vijaya' in Jalavalli Mela. Though he was rushed to the hospital, he could not be saved.
Chandrahas hails from Hudugodu in Honnavara taluk of Uttara Kannada and is president of Hadinabalu gram panchayat.
He learnt Yakshagana nritya from Gundibailu Subraya Bhat. He had served in Amritheshwara, Saligrama, Perdoor, Goligaradi, Nagarakodi, Bacchagaru and other Yakshagana melas for 30 years. He was performing as a guest artistes in different melas of Badaguthittu Yakshagana on invitation.
He was known for Kaurava, Ravana, Magadha, Salva, Hanumantha, Dalavayi, Muddanna and other characters in Yakshagana. His son Pradeep had accompanied him to the show. The all-night performance was called off later.
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