Karwar: The soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the sake of the country go to grave wearing their uniform. Chittani Ramachandra Hegde, the great Yakshagana artist who died on Tuesday was laid to rest like a true soldier. The great artist merged with the elements wearing the makeup, something that he stood for in his life.
The last rites of Hegde were performed at his native village in Honnavar, on Wednesday evening at about 9.30pm as per Brahmanical customs.
His Yakshagana counterparts had expressed their wish to see Hegde doing colours on his face during his last journey and the artiste was given final farewell.
Born in 1933 at Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district, Chittani Hegde started performing important roles on stage at a very young age of 14.
Chittani Hegde’s unique style of performance became popular as “Chittani Gharana.” His role in Yakshagana plays like “Kaurava”, “Dushta Buddi”, “Bhasmasura”, “Keechaka”, “Karna”, “Rudrakopa” and “Kamsa” will remain in his admirers’ memory for long.
Hegde’s contribution to the field of Yakshagana is immense. In recognition to this, he was honoured with the first Padma Shri in the field of Yakshagana.
