Shivamogga: H. R. Keshavamurthy (88), popularly known for his Gamaka art, passed away on Wednesday December 21.
He was unwell for three days and undergoing treatment at home.
Born on February 22, 1934, to Hosahalli Ramaswamy Sastry and Lakshmidevamma, he had mastered the art of Gamaka from childhood. Inspired by the Puranas that his parents used to sing in raga, he started studying Gamaka recitation from the age of 16 under Venkateshaiah of the village. He practiced reciting Ramayana, Mahabharata, Kannada and Sanskrit poems in many ragas and was known as “Shataragi” by reciting more than 100 different ragas.
In 2022, he was awarded the Central Government’s Padma Shri award, including the Shantalanatyasri Award and the Kumaravyasa Award.
