Eminent Yakshagana artiste both in Tenkuthittu and Badaguthittu, Siddakatte Vishwanath Shetty (71), passed away on Friday after a brief illness.
Born in 1945 at Ajjibettu, Bantwal taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, he was known for his oratory skills and giving life to any role during the performance. He was equally famous in Talamaddale (Yakshagana sans dance) as an eminent interpreter.
Shetty did not have any Yakshagana background but excelled in the art due to persistent efforts. He started the career with Kateel Mela after completing higher secondary education and later worked with Kadri, Karnataka, Mangaladevi and Saligrama Melas. Finally, he was with the Hiriyadka Mela.
Shetty had made name in the roles of Jambava, Perumala Ballala, Chandugidi, Deva Poonja and others in Tenkuthittu while his roles as Parashurama, Mahogra, Vasishta, Bheeshma, Krishna, Vidura, Sugreeva and others in Badaguthittu had brought him wide recognition.
