Eminent Yakshagana Bhagavatha Padyana Ganapathi Bhat dies at 66

Bantwal: Eminent Thenkuthittu Yakshagana Bhagavatha, Padyana Ganapathi Bhat (66) passed away on Tuesday, sources close to his family said.

For the past 50 years, Padyana had been shining as a professional Bhagavata in Yakshagana melas. He is credited to have started a new style ‘Padyana’ Bhavathike in the Thenkuthittu tradition.

He served as the principal Bhagavata in the popular melas of Thenkuthittu, including Hosanagara Mela, Yedaneeru Mela, and Hanumangiri Mela. Padyana had also served as Bhagavata at the Suratkal mela for 26 years.

Padyana Ganapathi Bhat was the first Bhagavata to participate as a judge on a Kannada singing reality show “Yede Thumbi Haaduvenu.” Legendary singer late S. P. Balasubrahmanyam had very high priase for his Bhagwatike skills.

The Padyana family has made a great contribution to the Yakshagana arena and the loss of senior artists has caused immense pain and irreparable loss to the Thenkuthittu Yaksharanga.