Dodda Samaga Passes Away:

Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga, a legendary artist and Haridasa, passed away on the first of August at the age of eighty nine. Popularly known as ‘Dodda Samaga’, (distinguishing from his younger brother ‘Sanna Samaga’ – Ramdas Samaga) he is considered among all time great artist of Yakshagana. An artist, freedom fighter, Samaga ruled the Yakshagana as a major artist for about four decades. Known for excellent depiction of various characters with outstanding command over the spoken word, and Puranic scholarship, he had worked in both Southern and Northern styles. He was very much revered for his talent, scholarship, simplicity and ability. We salute the great soul and pray for him.

Sheni Turns Eighty Two:

‘The great poet of the spoken word’ a major actor and Haridasa, Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat turned Eighty Two this year. His Sahasrachandra (Thousand Moons) felicitations were held at his birth place Bela at Kasargod, recently. A collossal influence in Yakshagana, Sheni’s characterisation, language, interpretation, mood depiction, arguments and voice effect have rightly made him a genius. Still achieve as Eighty Two, Sheni is an invaluable asset of Kannada culture.

Shambhu is Sixty:
Artist, organiser, choreographer, Guru Keremane Shambhu Hegde was felicitated on attaining the age of Sixty, recently. An outstanding actor, fine dancer, Shambhu is a committed crusader for the beauty, quality and tradition. The evergreen hero is young at 60, and forging ahead with plans towards a training centre and theater complex at his native village Gunavante near Honnavar.

Kolagi felicitation:
Senior artist Kolagi Anantha Hegde (60) is being honoured soon, at Siddapur. A committee has been formed for the purpose. It will organise Kolagi’s 60^th year felicitations. A souvenir will also be brought out on the occasion.

Canara 200:
The 200^th year of ‘Canara District’ was celebrated recently. The United Coastal district was formed by the British Raj in 1799. Later it was divided into North Canara and South Canara. Still later, Kasargod was given to Kerala in 1956. In 1997, further division created the Udupi and Mangalore districts.