Mangaluru: Renowned Yakshagana artist Gangadhar Shetty Navoor of Bappanadu Mela (troupe) died on Monday due to heart attack. He was 43. Over the last four years he has been a part of Chamundeshwari Chikka Mela, under which he used to perform door to door during the monsoons.

The Chikka Mela was touring Vamadapadau area in Bantwal over the last few days and when he collapsed due to heart attack he was alone in the makeshift camp, it is said. When the co-artists rushed him to the hospital, he was declared brought dead. Born in 1975 to Krishna Shetty and Lakshmi Shedthi couple in Navoor, Gangadhar Shetty learnt the art of Yakshagana from K Govind Bhat and Kargallu Vishveshwara Bhat. He had worked in several troupes including Kadri, Mangaladevi among others. Shetty is learnt to have pledged to donate his eyes after his death. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.