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Honnavar: Kappekere Subraya Hegde (79), a senior figure in the Yakshagana world, passed away on Wednesday, May 13. His demise is being seen as the end of a golden era in the Badagutittu Yakshagana tradition.

Born in 1947 in Hadinabalu village of Honnavar taluk to parents Eshwara Hegde and Gopi Hegde, Subraya Hegde came from a family deeply rooted in Yakshagana tradition. Following the path of his elder brother Kappekere Mahadeva Hegde, he trained under veteran artists Keremane Mahabala Hegde and Ganapathi Hegde.

In Yakshagana, it is rare for one artist to excel simultaneously as a Bhagavatha (singer-narrator), performer, and percussionist. Subraya Hegde mastered all these aspects.

Bhagavatha: He was honoured with the title “Laya Brahma” for his exceptional command over rhythm and tala.

Performance: He brought life to major mythological characters such as Arjuna, Balarama, and Narada as a skilled stage performer.

Music: He also had deep expertise in Chende and Maddale percussion instruments.

For nearly 45 years, he travelled and performed continuously with troupes including Idagunji, Gundabala, Saligrama, Bacchagaru, and Amrutheshwari Mela. He played a key role in preserving the traditional structure of Yakshagana performances.

Beyond performance, he also worked as a stage director, shaping the flow and structure of Yakshagana plays.

As a teacher, he mentored hundreds of students and contributed significantly to Yakshagana training. He received several prestigious awards, including:

• Karnataka Yakshagana Bayalata Award
• Udupi Yakshagana Kalaraanga Award
• Yaksha Deegula Award
• Keremane Gajanana Hegde Award

Yakshagana enthusiasts, troupe organisers, and fellow artists have expressed deep condolences over the passing of Subraya Bhagavatha, who was regarded as a treasure house of traditional knowledge.

His purity in rhythm and mastery of timing are considered a guiding light for future generations of Bhagavathas.