Umesh Honkanakeri
Instructor - Chande & Costume
Umesh Hegde, is a respected and multi-talented Yakshagana artist from Uttara Kannada district. Born to Shri Subraya Hegde and Smt. Parvati Hegde, Umesh developed a deep-rooted interest in Yakshagana early on, eventually becoming a well-known amateur performer in the region.
He received his training under Yakshagana stalwarts Shri Manjunath Bhagavatha (Hostota) and Shri Parameshwara Hegde (Ainbail), who shaped his journey in the art form. Though he chose agriculture as his primary profession, Umesh's passion for Yakshagana remained unwavering.
Beyond stage performance, Umesh has made significant contributions behind the scenes. He is known for his expertise in costume design, makeup artistry, and decorative aesthetics, bringing characters to life with his creativity and precision. His Chande playing skills add yet another dimension to his artistic range.
Umesh has also served as a trainer and resource person in numerous Yakshagana training camps, generously sharing his knowledge with aspiring artists. In recognition of his versatile talent and contribution to the art form, he was honored with the title "Kalabrahma" in 2021 by Karunadu Vijaya Sena in Tumkur.
