Barkur: Upinakote Shyama Kunder, a prominent figure in the cultural landscape of Barkur and surrounding areas during the 1980s and 1990s, passed away following a brief illness.
Popularly known as Shyama, the deceased was the nephew of the legendary 'Mike Narasimhanna', who earned widespread recognition for providing light and sound systems for cultural, devotional, religious, and educational programs across the region, serving all communities irrespective of caste and creed.
Following in his uncle's footsteps, Shyama carved out his own niche in the light and sound industry while simultaneously establishing himself as a versatile stage performer. He was a regular presence in productions by 'Sneha Ranga', a popular theatre group in Barkur.
Known particularly for his portrayal of female characters, Shyama shared the stage with several notable performers, including the late Umesh Raj and late Nagesh Rao, as well as well-known theatre artists B. Shantharam Shetty and Liaqat Ali.
His contributions to the cultural scene of Barkur and the surrounding region have left an indelible mark on local theatre and technical services for performing arts.
The theatre community and residents have expressed deep sorrow at his passing. Condolences have been pouring in for the bereaved family during this difficult time.