Doyen of Yakshagana Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat is dead

Mangalore, July 18 (UNI) Renowned Yakshagana artist Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat, died today in a private hospital in Kasargod town of Kerala after a brief illness.

He was 89. He is survived by four sons.

Mr Bhat had served in various Yakshagana troupes in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, including the famous Shreekshetra Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Yakshagana Sabha (SDMYS). His role as Bappa Beary in an episode called Bappanadu Kshetra Mahatme had earned him wide acclaim. He had also written several books on Yakshagana and other cultural topics. Mr Bhat was the recipient of several National and State awards.

The funeral held in the evening in Kasargod was attended by a large number of his fans and Yakshagana lovers.

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