Kalinga Navada (1957–1990) was a well-known

Yakshagana Yakshagana is a traditional theatre, found in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragod district and Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur district, Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Keral ...

Bhagavatha ('background singer') of the 20th century. He was noted for his melodious voice and tone and new innovations made in rendering yakshagana songs which earned him various titles like "Kanchina Kanta", "Karavali Kogile", "Rasaraga Chakravarthy", "Yuga Pravartaka".

Family

Kalinga Navada was born on 6 June 1957 as the fifth son to Padmavathi and Ramachandra Navada at Gundmi Village,

Udupi Udupi () also known as 'Odipu' () is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Udupi district, and one of the fastest-growing cities in Karnataka. Udupi is one of the top tourist attractions in Karnataka an ...

District,

Karnataka Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. He married Vijayashree and had one son Agneya Navada.

Career

Navada inherited his art from his father Ramachandra Navada who was a well-known

Bhagavatha during the 1960s–80s. Learning the art ranging from 'Hoovina kolu', 'jaapu' and 'chchaapu' of

, he stepped into this creative art form. Within a brief span he was able to make good tunes, which attracted people. Imbibing the technicalities of music from the veteran Naranappa Uppoor and Ramachandra Navada, Kalinga Navada's talent was much appreciated by his fans and he was a cult hero of Yakshagana art. With a proper hold on theatre, Navada innovated new ragas to reduce the monotony and increase the attraction thus bringing a special effect in Yakshagana. With a fusion of new ragas like

Revati Revati () is a goddess featured in Hindu scriptures. She is King Kakudmi's daughter and Krishna's elder brother Balarama's consort, and also one of the Dashavatara. However, some think that Balarama is an avatar of Vishnu's vahana, Sheshanaga. ...

, Kalavathi, Chaand, and Bihag with old ones, Navada was prominent in the Yakshagana field. At the age of 14, he debuted as a Lead Bhagavata for Kota Shri Amrutheshwari Mela with help and guidance from Uppoor. He was the Bhagavata in Uppoor's troupe from 1971 to 1976 and in 1977 he joined the Vijayashree Yakshagana Mela (Shri Ananthapadmanabha Mela) of Perdoor and became popular. From 1978, after he joined Saligrama Mela (Shri Guruprasaditha Yakshagana Mandali), his success continued until 1990.

Death

Navada died aged 32 in a road mishap near

New Prasanga (Poetry)

Kalinga Navada has written many memorable Samajika yakshagana prasangas - Amruthamati, Bhagyashree, Roopashri, Vijayashri, Kanchanashri & Nagashri to name a few. Out of which Nagashri stands tall in terms of maximum number of shows in Yakshagana history. His Song "Neela Gaganadolu / Navilu Kuniyuthide" became an evergreen hit and a trend setter amongst the Yakshagana fans.

Awards received

Rajyotsava Prashasti The Rajyotsava Prashasti or Rajyotsava Award, the second highest civilian honor of the Karnataka state of India are conferred annually by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the establishment of the state on 1 November, celebrated as th ...

(Posthumous) in 1990 * Karavali Kogile * Rasaraga Chakravarthi

Awards instituted

Many awards, in the name of Kalinga Navada, is awarded to Yakshagana artists every year (both Himmela and Mummela).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Navada, Kalinga 1958 births 1990 deaths Indian male singer-songwriters Indian singer-songwriters People from Udupi district Yakshagana 20th-century Indian singers 20th-century Indian male singers