Yakshagana comedy artiste Kumta Moorooru Ramesh Bhandary of the Saligrama Mela was presented the Kundeshwara Samman recently at the Kundeshwara Temple in Hirgana, Karkala.
The award, instituted in memory of Late Raghavendra Bhat, a trustee of the temple, was presented on the last day of the temple’s annual festival.
Mr. Bhandary, who began his career in professional Yakshagana since Class 9 with the Sirsi Panchalingeshwara Mela with whom he spent two years, joined Perdur Mela later and was there for nearly 23 years.
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He joined the Saligrama Mela five years ago, according to Jitendra Kundeshwara, convener of award selection committee.
Mr. Bhandary’s haasyagara roles of Vijaya in Keechaka Vadhe, Uttara Kumara in Uttarana Paurusha, Kashi Mani in Bedara Kannappa and Mani roles in Bhoo Kailasa, Chandravali had been noteworthy.