Kundapur: Karnataka Rajyothsava awardee, Yakshagana Bhagavath and retired teacher Irodi Rama Ganiga has passed away on Thursday due to illness in a private hospital at Koteshwar.

He was attracted towards Yakshagana since his childhood itself. He served as a Yakshgana Bhagavath for many years and also served as a teacher. The Central government’s Cultural Department has awarded him as ‘Guru’.

He also worked with renowned Kannada writer Jnanpeeth awardee Shivaram Karnath for more than 15 years. Many awards have come in search of Rama Ganiga.

He has survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters.