Kalinga Navada Biography 
Kalinga Navada was a Yakshagana artist from Karnataka best known as a background singer. Singers are best known as ‘Yakshagana Bhagavatha’ in this performing art, and he was one of the renowned artists who lived in the 20th century. He was a disciple of veteran Yakshagana Bhagavatha Naranappa Uppoor and Ramachandra Navada. He was active in the field for nearly two decades during 1971-1990, and passed away at a comparatively young age of just 31. He was at his career peak when death took him away in a road mishap near Udupi on 27 May 1990. He was survived by his Vijayashree and one son.
Kalinga Navada was born on 6 June 1958 in Gundmi, Udupi, Karnataka into a family of performing artists. Padmavathi and Ramachandra Navada were his parents and he was born as their 5th child. Vijayashree was his wife, and his son’s name is Agneya Navada. He was taught Yakshagana music by his father, who was a Yakshagana Bhagavatha then. Kalinga stepped into this creative art form and began to create new tunes which earned him a fan base. Navada innovated new ragas thus bringing a special effect in Yakshagana, and he also composed fusion music. He also studied under Naranappa Uppoor and Ramachandra Navada to polish his talents.
He made his first public performance as a Yakshagana Bhagavatha at the age of 14. From there on he was fully active in the field in his short life span of next two decades. He joined Saligrama Mela (Shri Guruprasaditha Yakshagana Mandali) in 1978 and was associated with the same group till his death in 1990. In the brief life, he has also written any memorable Samajika yakshagana prasangas. "Neela Gaganadolu / Navilu Kuniyuthide” is one of his most popular evergreen songs.
Published: March 01, 2019
Updated: March 01, 2019
