Naranappa Uppoor

Naranappa Uppoor (1918–1984) was a famous bhagavath (Yakshagana singer) of Yakshagana art during the 20th century. He was much known for his voice, knowledge of tradition and heritage of Yakshagana. Dr. Shivarama Karanth, writer and his contemporary opined that Naranappa Uppoor is one person who is very familiar with the rich heritage of stage traditions (of Yakshagana). Only he can tell us what we had in the past and what we are losing.

Author He authored Yakshagana Adhyayana, a book dedicated to ancient heritage of Yakshagana, which include yakshagana syllabus for learners also. Kalinga Navada, famous Yakshagana singer was trained as bhagavatha by Uppoor. Some other students are G. Sadananda Aithala, K.G. Rama Rao, K.P. Hegade, Narayana Shabaraya, S. Suresh Shetty, Halady Raghavendra Mayya etc.

Yakshagana Kalakendra, Hangarakatte This school for teaching yakshagana was started by Naranappa Uppoor in 1972 at Hangarkatte Yakshagana Kendra of Heremalingeshwara Temple in Kota with his maddalegara Belanje Thimmaappa Naik helping by A Sadananda Hebbar. Hundreds of students learnt Yakshagana art at this center and later performed Yakshagana art in various troupes of Coastal Karnataka.

The death On 12 April 1984, Bhagavatha Narnappa Uppoor suffered heart attack when singing for Amrutheshwari Yakshagana troupe (his first employer) during a public performance and succumbed later on the same day.