Eminent Yakshagana maddale artiste no more

Mangaluru:

Adoor Ganesh Rao

, 50, the eminent maddale player of Dharmasthala Yakshagana Mandali,

passed away

in a private hospital at

Deralakatte

in the city following a brief illness. A contemporary of eminent Thenkuthittu maddale artistes, Nedle Narasimha Bhat and Chipparu Krishnayya Ballal, Ganesh Rao enriched the field of Yakshagana with his expertise on this percussion instrument that has an important role in this folk art.

Having started his Yakshagana career with the famed Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari mela, he was an integral part of the Dharmasthala mela for the past 22 years. Receptive to the mood of the bhagawatha, Ganesh Rao carried the day with his adroit handling of the instrument based on demands of the situation on stage. He was also equally an expert with the chende in the art of bhagavathike, making him a go to man in times of emergencies.

He hailed from Kasaragod, Adoor. He suffered from diabetes and kidney-related issues. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.