Honnavara: Krishnaiah Manjaya Shetty, Yakshagana artist fondly called ‘Bannada Kushta’ for his trademark colourful Yakshagana make-up, died on the morning of December 6 at a private hospital here.

Shetty, whose real name is Kushta Ganiga, was 89 years old. He is survived by his wife and five daughters.

He had performed in Keremane mela, Karki, Gundabala, Idagunji and Amrutheshwari melas (troupes) in all types of performance roles for over five decades.

He was the recipient of many awards including the Yakshagana Kalaranga Award.

President of the Yakshagana Kalaranga at Udupi M Gangadhar Rao and Secretary Murali Kedekar expressed their condolences on Shetty’s demise.