Veteran Yakshagana artiste, teacher Thonse Jayanth Kumar passes away
Udupi: Veteran Yakshagana singer (bhagavatha) Thonse Jayanth Kumar, who mentored thousands of Yakshagana artistes and opened several institutions for the development of the art form, passed away on Monday morning, aged 77 years.
Son of National Award winner Thonse Kanthappa Master, an iconic artiste of the itinerant form of Yakshagana, Jayanth Kumar has contributed to the art form as not just singer but also as accompanying artiste on the percussion instrument and presenting several roles on stage in costume. He strove for the growth of Yakshagana setting up institutions to teach the art form to enthusiastic youngsters. His efforts as an ‘all-rounder’ earned him the title of ‘Yakshagana Savyasachi’.
Respected greatly for such efforts to popularize Yakshagana Jayanth Kumar was honoured with the Yakshavaridhi, Kalinga Navada, Yakshasuma and Janapada Academy awards, among others. He was also honoured by former President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma for his contributions.
He is survived by his wife Vinoda and three sons. The last rites will be held at the artiste’s house in Gopalapura in Santhekatte at 9 am on Tuesday, and the cremation will be held at the Beedanagudde grounds, with full honours to the veteran, said family sources.
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Trump says he ‘hasn’t even thought about’ continuing Iran ceasefire
Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he has not yet considered whether he would continue the ceasefire involving Iran, while also claiming the United States holds the advantage in negotiations.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he was prepared to make a deal with “whoever is running the show” in Iran.
“They are fighting with each other, there’s tremendous infighting. They’re probably fighting for leadership in many cases. I think they’re fighting not to be leader because we knocked out two levels of leaders,” he said.
Trump added, “When they want they can call me. We have all the cards, we’ve won everything.”
Referring to ongoing negotiations, he said, “They gave us a paper that should’ve been better. And, interestingly, immediately when I cancelled it [envoy trip to Pakistan], within 10 minutes we got a new paper that was much better.”
“We talked about they will not have a nuclear weapon, very simple … They offered a lot, but not enough,” he added.
When asked whether he would continue the ceasefire, Trump replied, “I haven’t even thought about it.”
The remarks come as uncertainty remains over the future of the temporary truce and broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
