Vitla: Veteran Yakshagana bhagavatha Tenkabailu Thirumaleshwara Shastri (76), passed away at a private hospital in Mangaluru on September 27.
He is survived by son Muralikrishna Shastri and three daughters.
He was known for his unique style of singing and was the recipient of many awards including the Udupi Yakshagana Kalaranga, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Rajyotsava, Kuriya Vitthala Shastri, Sampaje Dr Keelaru Gopalakrishnayya Foundation, Padayan, Pattaja and Diwana awards.
Born in 1944 to the famous Chakrakodi household of Tenkabailu Krishna Shastri and Savitriyamma, Thirumaleshwara Shastri lived at Tenkabilu, at Karopadi village in Bantwal taluk.
He learned Yakshagana singing from Mambadi Narayana and classical singing from Bajakkala Ganapathi Bhat.
He was influenced by the Agari style and later developed and was known for his Tenkabailu style.
He served as the principal of the Sri Padrechandu Yakshagana Training Center at Perla where he taught many Yakshagana artists.
He served as the bhagavatha in many mela (troupes) including Kairangala, Bappanadu, Malla, Madhuru, Ira and Kuntaru.
