Govinda Bhat to chair seventh Yakshagana Sammelan

Mangalore, January 20: Senior Yakshagana artiste Surikumeri K Govinda Bhat has been chosen to preside over the seventh Akhila Karnataka Yakshagana Sammelan, which will be held at the Town Hall in the city for three days from January 27,

Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, founder of the Kalkura Foundation, which is organising the sammelan in association with the Karnataka Samskritika Kala Prathisthana, Bangalore, announced this at a press meet here on Thursday.

74-year-old Bhat, who is known for his all-round performance in Yakshagana, has been serving in Dharmasthala Yakshagana Mela for the past four decades.

Earlier, Mr. Bhat was with Karnataka, Ira and Surathkal Yakshagana melas.

Mr. Bhat is famous for acting the roles of Duryodhana, Karna, Vishwamitra, Raktabeeja, Indrajit, Hiranyaksha, Ambe, Shoorpanakha, and Karthaveerya in Yakshagana episodes. He has written 15 Yakshagana scripts.