Chittani Ajja cremated with state honours

GUDDEKERI, HONNAVAR:Legendary Yakshagana artiste Chittani Ramachandra Hegde was cremated with the state honours at Guddekeri village in Honnavar taluk in Uttara Kannada district on Wednesday night.The last rites were performed by his elder son Subramanya Chittani Hegde in the presence of a large crowd.

The 85-year-old trendsetter in Yakshagana art form had been admitted to a hospital in Manipal on September 29 after he had complained of breathing problems. He did not respond to treatments and breathed his last on Tuesday evening.Chittani’s body was brought to his native Guddekeri village on Wednesday afternoon. Throughout the way, his fans were waiting with garlands to pay homage.
Three rounds of shots were fired in air during the funeral. Police band saluted the artiste who got the first Padma award in Yakshagana. Subray Bhagavat Kappekere, a close associate of Chittani, recalled that he had worked with Chittani for more than three decades as a bhagavata (singer). “Chittani started a new trend in Yakshagana which is being followed by present generation,” he said.