Udupi : Maddale Maestro Rajyotsava awardee, Hiriyadka Gopal Rao, popularly known as ‘Maddale Mantrika’, passed away at his residence in Ontibetti near Hiriyadka in Udupi on Saturday. He was 101.

The Maddale Maestro died due to age-related ailments on Saturday at around 9 p.m.

The veteran Yakshagana artist served in many melas and played maddale in the ballets of Kota Shivaram Karanth. He was also part of Kinnara Nritya and Mooka Nritya programmes of Karanth.