Yakshagana artiste Ishwara Gowda Nemmar dies of heart attack in Kundapura
Udupi: A 51-year-old Yakshagana artiste died of heart attack before he could return to the green room and take off his costume after his performance during a show in Souda of Kundapura taluk on Wednesday night.
The deceased artiste is Ishwara Gowda Nemmar, a member of the Mandarthi Second Troupe (Mela) and resident of Nemmar near Sringeri. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
On Wednesday night, Gowda is known to have suffered a heart attack just after he fulfilled his role of Mahishasura during a show organized by the Mandarthi Second Troupe. He is also learned to have died before his co-artistes could take him to hospital.
Gowda, who started his career as a Yakshagana artiste about three decades ago, worked with the Shivarajapura, Megaravalli, Madamakki, Amriteshwari and Mandarthi troupes. He was known for his efficiency in handling male characters from the epics during shows.
Sources have said that his funeral rites will be conducted at Bukdibail in Nemmar village on Thursday.
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Guv Gehlot clears bill paving way for Panchayat elections through ballots
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given his assent to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act that will pave the way for holding the Panchayat elections through ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Following the assent, the Act was notified in the state gazette on Wednesday.
The bill was passed by both houses of the Karnataka legislature in March during the budget session, amid protests by the opposition BJP.
As per the law, the principle of secrecy of the ballot is a cornerstone of free and fair elections, as recognised by the judiciary, which emphasised that the secrecy of the ballot protects voters from coercion, intimidation, and undue influence, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the democratic process in several judgments of the Supreme Court.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the functioning of EVMs, necessitating a return to the robust secret ballot paper system to restore public trust, according to the Act.
Justifying its decision, the Karnataka government said there is “a growing consensus on the need to strengthen electoral mechanisms that prioritise anonymity and transparency”.
