Sculptor Naganna Badiger, 97, died here on Saturday following a brief illness. He has won many awards, including the Rajyotsava Award, the Nadoja Award (conferred by Kannada University at Hampi) and the Shilpakala Academy Award.
Dr. Badiger was born in Gonal (SD) village in Surpur taluk in Yadgir district. He is survived by his son Manayya Badiger, who is a brass-casting sculptor, and five daughters. Dr. Badiger has trained many sculptors.
He was also an expert in carving temple cars and idols of gods and goddesses. Many of his works can be found in temples in Gulbarga, Yadgir and Raichur districts as well as several temples in Andhra Pradesh. Some of his works have been exhibited in a museum in his house in Gulbarga.
