Yakshagana artiste Rakshit Shetty Padre will be honored with the Kundeshwara Samman award during the annual fair of Shri Kundeshwara Temple in Udupi district on January 21.
Rakshit Shetty Padre, an MSc Computer Science graduate, has showcased his talents in Yakshaganas across various melas, including Bappanadu, Sasihitlu, Hosanagara, Edneer, and currently at Hanumagiri Yakshagana mela.
He has played diverse roles such as Sudarshana, Abhimanyu, Menaka, Subhadra, Krishna, Sridevi, Ashwathhama, Seeta, Mohini, and Meenakshi in Yakshagana performances.
Rakshit Shetty Padre is recognized for his contribution to the art form and holds Yakshagana classes for children at 20 different locations in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.