Kalinga Navada (1958–1990) was a well-known

Yakshagana Yakshagaana is a traditional theatre, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, ...

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 1958 as the fifth son to Padmavathi and Ramachandra Navada at Gundmi Village,

Udupi Udupi (alternate spelling Udipi; also known as Odipu) is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. Udupi is situated about north of the educational, commercial and industrial hub of Mangalore and about west of state capital Bangalore by road. ...

District,

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. 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 Naranappa Uppoor (1918–1984) was a famous ''bhagavath'' (Yakshagana singer) of Yakshagana art during 20th Century. He was much known for his voice, knowledge of tradition and heritage of Yakshagana. Dr. Shivarama Karanth, writer and his contem ...

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 (रेवती) is a goddess featured in Hindu scriptures. She is the daughter of King Kakudmi and the consort of Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna, and one of the Dashavatara. Her account is given within a number of Hindu texts su ...

, Kalavathi, Chaand, and

Bihag Raga Bihag is a Hindustani classical raga belonging to the Bilaval Thaat. It is a melodious Raaga for beginners as well as experts. Raga Bihag uses all seven music swars. In Bihag, both the Madhyams (Shuddha & teevra) are used. The Shuddha Mad ...

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 Awards, 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 t ...

(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