Enagi Balappa passes away in Belagavi

BELAGAVI: Veteran theatre person and Nadoja,

Enagi Balappa

, who made a highly significant contribution to

Kannada theatre

and

Kannada Natya Sangeet

passed away at his residence in Enagi village in Savadatti taluk, Belagavi district, after a prolonged illness, family sources said. He was 103.

Balappa was born in 2014 and had acted in plays in his childhood. Apart from acting and direction in dramas, he was recognised as best singer of '

Ranga geetegalu

' (theatre songs). Being owner of a professional drama company, he had provided shelter for hundreds of artistes and back stage workers.

Apart from acting in dramas, he had also acted in many Kannada feature films. His acting as 'Swamiji' in super hit film 'Janumada Jodi', whose screen play was based on novel of Gujarati writer Pannalal Patel, a Jnanapeetha awardee.

One of his wards Enagi Nataraj was also a noted actor in Kannada theatre and TV serials but died of illness 5 years ago.

Family sources said that last rites of Balappa will be performed in Enagi village on Saturday, 11am.