Senior litterateur, multifaceted personality Ambatanaya Mudradi passes away

Hebri: Multi-talented personality, litterateur, and retired teacher Ambatanaya Mudradi passed away on February 21.

He was well known for being a Haridasa-Talamaddale Arthadhari, Veshadhari, and Prasangakarta.

Ambatanaya Mudradi was born on June 4, 1935 in Mudradi, Karkala as Keshav Shettigar. He worked as a primary school teacher for thirty-six years, before retiring in 1993.

Besides being a poet and teacher, Ambatanaya Mudradi was also well known as a dramatist, orator, Yakshagana artiste, Yakshagana Arthadhari, Haridasa, Jinadasa, satirist, columnist, and teacher trainer.

In his last public appearance, Abatanaya Mudradi had recently participated in a conversation with the president of the first Samagra Yakshagana conference held in Udupi. The book ‘Yakshagana and Harikathe — a comparative study’  penned by him was released on this occasion.

For his achievements, Mudradi received several honors including Rajyotsava Award and Partisubba Award. He had also served as the President of Udupi District Kannada Sahitya Parishad.

Ambatanaya Mudradi is survived by his wife, three sons, five daughters, and a large number of disciples. Sources said that the cremation will be held at Mudradi on Tuesday evening.