Yakshagana artiste Chandrahasa Hudugodu collapses during performance, dies

Udupi: Yakshagana artiste Chandrahasa Hudugodu died on late Sunday, March 10 night while performing on the stage near Baindoor in Udupi district. He was 50.

It is gathered that Chandrahasa collapsed due to suspected cardiac arrest while he was performing the role of Salva in Bheeshma Vijaya episode in Jalavalli Yakshagana Mela (which is a touring troupe). Though he was immediately rushed to a hospital in Baindoor, he could not be saved. 

Following the incident, the all-night performance was called off later.

The mela had invited Chandrahasa to perform as a guest artist in Yeljit-Painadi village near Baindoor. Chandrahasa son Pradeep had accompanied the father to the show. 

Chandrahasa, a professional artiste in Saligrama Yakshagana Mela had quit it about four years ago to perform as a guest artiste in different melas of Badagu Thittu (northern) school of Yakshagana on the invitation. He had floated Kalashree Natya Tanda, Hudugodu, Honnavara which was a group of amateur Yakshagana artistes. Its artists used to present short-duration Yakshagana shows on the invitation.

Chandrahasa was well known for performing the characters such as Salva, Keechaka, Kaurava, Karthaveerya and the like. He was also the president of Hadinabalu Gram Panchayat, near Honnavara, in Uttara Kannada district.

It may be recalled that, noted Yakshagana artistes like Keremane Shambhu Hegde, Siriyara Manju Naika, Gerukatte Gangayya Shetty had also died while performing on the stage.