To mark the 70th birthday of senior Yakshagana artiste Airody Govindappa, a felicitation function will be held at Gandhi Maidan, Kota, on Saturday.
Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, Saibrakatte Ashok Achar, president of the function’s organising committee, said Mr. Govindappa had made a name for himself in both ‘Badagu’ and ‘Tenku’ schools of Yakshagana. Born on April 10, 1945 to Gowri and Buda Bhagawat at Airody in Udupi district, Mr. Govindappa gave up education after completing Class 5 and threw himself into the art of Yakshagana when he was just 12.
He learnt the art of ‘Bhagavatige’ under his father, the late Buda Bhagawat. He learnt dance and the finer nuances of Yakshagana under the tutelage of Tonse Kantappa Master. Over the last 55 years, he has performed for various Yaksahgana melas.
He is also known for his measured dialogue delivery, and has won many awards for his contributions to the art.
The function will begin at 9 p.m. There will be three Yakshagana performances — ‘Akshayambara’, ‘Rukmagarvabhanga’ and ‘Karnarjuna’. Mr. Govindappa will don the role of Karna in ‘Karnarjuna’.
