Mangaluru: Renowned Yakshagana artiste Gerukatte Gangaiah Shetty (63) passed away on Wednesday night after he collapsed during a performance at Yekkar; though he was rushed to a hospital, he could not be saved.

Gangaiah Shetty hailed from Belthangady and was interested in Yakshagana from a very tender age; he then trained himself in the art at Dharmasthala.

Gangaiah Shetty was well-known for his ‘Bannada Veshas.’ He rendered nearly 48-years service with the Kateelu Durgaparameshwari Yakshagana Mandali and portrayed characters like Rudrabheema, Arunasura, Ravana, Chandagopa and so on. However after he suffered a cardiac arrest 15 years ago, he did not don the role of Mahishasura as per doctor’s advice.

Shetty is survived by his wife, three sons and innumerous admirers.