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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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
