Veteran Yakshagana Artist Vasudeva Samaga Passes Away at 74
Udupi: Veteran Yakshagana Artist, a renowned performer of the Badaguthittu Yakshagana tradition, and art organizer, Malpe Vasudeva Samaga passed away at the age of 74, early Saturday morning at Manipal KMC Hospital.
His last performance had been at a weekly Yakshagana program at Alangaar in Moodabidri after which he had experienced ill health and was subsequently admitted to a private hospital near his place of residence at Koteshwar. He had tested positive for coronavirus and was undergoing treatment at the hospital. Since his health deteriorated further, he was taken to KMC Hospital at Manipal where he passed away at 4 am on Saturday, 7th of November.
Hailing from the Samaga household, a popular family of Yakshagana performers, Vasudeva Samaga’s uncle Malpe Shankaranarayana Samaga and father, Malpe Ramdas Samaga were considered as giants of the Badaguthittu Yakshagana tradition for introducing the eloquence of dialogue to this dance-oriented art form. Vasudeva Samaga, who continued the legacy of this art form was known to captivate his audience with the genius of his rhetoric and rhythm.
Apart from his expertise in Badaguthittu, he was also a successful performer of the Tenkuthittu art form.
Recognized as an all-rounder (Savyasachi Artist) in the field of Tenku-Badaguthittu Yakshagana, Vasudeva Saamaga has taken up leading roles as the protagonist, antagonist, and also some female roles in many Yakshagana performances and successfully executed each role. Vasudeva Samaga brought different perspectives into the Yakshagana art form through the execution of various roles such as that of Bhishma, Krishna, Kaikai, Dasharath, Devavratha, Kamsa, Manthare Mohini, Ambe, and captivated his audience with his performance. UttaraKumara is yet another role that is among the people’s favourite.
“Despite consistent efforts to save him, my father has succumbed to Covid”
-Dr. Pradeep Saamaga, Son of Vasudeva Samaga.
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Teen killed after being hit by private bus in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): A 16-year-old boy was killed after he was allegedly hit and run over by a private bus while crossing a road here on Friday, police said.
The deceased was identified as Varun, they said.
According to police, the accident occurred around 11:30 am on the Hennur–Bagalur main road.
The boy who crossing the road on foot when he was allegedly struck by the bus and came under its rear wheel, leading to his death on the spot.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
Following the incident, family members and locals staged a protest by blocking the Hennur–Bagalur road, resulting in heavy traffic congestion in the area.
The driver of the bus has been detained, and further legal action is being initiated, a senior police officer said, adding that an investigation is underway.
