Yakshagana artist ‘Sidilamari’ Dr Shridhar Bhandari Puttur no more

Puttur: Senior Yakshagana artist from the Dharmasthala Mela, Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardee Dr Shridhar Bhandari Puttur (73), passed away early in the morning on February 19.

Bhandari achieved wide acclaim for portraying the role of Abhimanyu. He had also played the roles of Babhruvahana, Ashwatthama, Kusha and Bhargava.

He was famous for the ‘Dhingina’ (whirling one’s body) performed by him and had set a record by performing 148 dhinginas in 3 minutes live on television.

Bhandari was awarded an honorary doctorate by a US university.

He is survived by his wife Usha Bhandari, daughters Kokila, Shantala, Anila and son Devi Prakash.