Mangaluru: Well-known Maddale artiste of Thenku Thittu Yakshagana form, Adoor Ganesh Rao died due to a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, December 11 morning. He was 50.

He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Deralakatte here

Having been trained by his father, a well-known Maddale artiste himself Rao began his artistic career in the Yakshagana field as a Chende artiste and went on to become one of the finest Maddale players of Thenku Thittu. He was associated with Dharmasthala Mela.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

His demise has left Yakshagana lovers in grief.