The elderly Nebboor Narayana Bhagavatar found it difficult to talk about Karemane Shambu Hegde with whom he was associated for over five decades. “I sang when he first put on the “Gegge” and when he reached the Almighty while playing his favourite role of Rama. I am younger to him by a few years. My heart melts when I recall the past moments,” said Mr. Bhagavatar.
Similar was the emotion of Pundarikasha Upadhya, who has donned female roles such as Damayanti, along side Karemane Shambu Hegde. “There have been several occasions when I have broken down while enacting scenes in Harishchandra Katha. Even Nebboor has cried when rendering songs in the drama that was going on throughout the night,” he said.
This was the scene at the Town Hall on Wednesday when Karemane Shambu Hegde was remembered on his birth centenary. The function was organised by Shambu Hegde's daughter Sharada Hegde, in association with Karnataka Yakshagana and Bayalata Academy. The legend died while playing his role at Gunavante near Honnavar taluk of Uttara Kannada district on February 3, 2009.
Chairman of the academy M.L. Samaga said Shambu Hegde believed Yakshagana as a classical and not a rural folk art. It's because of Shambu Hegde's efforts that the academy had come into existence. Kokkada Eshwara Bhat, who donned female roles alongside Shambhu Hegde, said he was fortunate to dance with the veteran artist. Shambu Hegde was down to earth. “He was just smiling like Lord Krishna when he noticed any faults in my dance. I cannot forget losing this great artist,” he said.
Keshavananda Bharati Swamji from Edneer Math recalled the last few days Shambu Hegde spent at the Math. As per the desire of the legend, the Swamji sang two songs in the Yakshagana sequence for which the former danced. Pundarikaksha Upadhyaya and Kokkada Eshwara Bhat were felicitated.
