Famous Yakshagana ‘Bhagavat’ (singer-cum-director) Padayan Ganapati Bhat passed away on 12 October. He was 66 years old, and is survived by his wife and two sons. Sri Bhat lived in Sulliya Taluk, Kalamadka, Dakshina Kannada. Sources said that he breathed his last at his residence around 7 am.
He belongs to the family of Yakshagana artists. His father Tirumaleshwar Bhat was a ‘Madele’ player. His grandfather Puttu Narayan was also a ‘Bhagavata’. Shri Bhat learned ‘Bhagavatike’ from (late) Mambadi Narayan Bhagwat.
After completing his primary education, he took to the stage at the age of 15. A prominent ‘Bhagavata’ of the Tenku Thittu school of Yakshagana, he was active on the stage for more than four decades. He was a sought-after ‘Bhagwat’ until he retired from active performance about three years ago.
He had performed in Yakshagana fairs like Chaudeshwari, Kundavu, Surathkal, Mangaladevi, Karnataka, Ednir, Hosanagar and Hanumagiri. He toured with the Mahamayi Yakshagana troupe of Surathkal for 26 years.
He had a similar grasp on Tulu and Kannada, and sang in Tulu during performances.
He performed in Kuwait, Muscat, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities in India. He is the recipient of Dakshina Kannada Rajyotsava Award and many other awards. His fans created a Facebook page ‘Padyana Ganapati Bhat Abhimani Balga’ in December 2012.
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