The vibrant world of Kannada theatre mourns the loss of a true icon, Yashwanth Sardeshpande. The acclaimed playwright, actor, and director, celebrated especially for his comedic genius, passed away in Bengaluru on September 29 at the age of 60. Family sources confirmed he succumbed to cardiac arrest at a private hospital. He leaves behind his wife, Malati, a respected actor herself, and their daughter.
Born in Ukkali, a village in the Basavana Bagewadi taluk of Vijayapura district, Karnataka, Sardeshpande’s passion for theatre ignited early in life. This passion led him to the renowned Ninasam theatre school in Heggodu, where he honed his craft and earned a diploma in theatre arts.
Following a period of dedication and hard work in the theatre scene, Yashwanth co-founded ‘Guru Samsthe,’ a repertory in Hubballi, collaborating with fellow Ninasam graduates. His breakthrough came with ‘All The Best,’ a Marathi play he brilliantly translated and brought to the Kannada stage. The immense success of this production launched his career, and his wife, Malati, was an integral part of this triumphant journey.
All The Best became an unprecedented hit, captivating audiences with its humor across more than 500 shows in Karnataka, throughout India, and even internationally. This paved the way for more comedic triumphs from his talented troupe.
Sardeshpande’s artistic endeavors extended beyond the stage into television and Kannada cinema. He garnered significant praise for his authentic dialogues in the distinct North Karnataka dialect, particularly in the film Rama Shama Bhama, starring Kamal Haasan and Arvind. Though he also produced and directed the Kannada comedy Idea Madyaara… Nagalikke, it unfortunately didn’t achieve commercial success.
Despite his forays into other mediums, his heart remained firmly with theatre, and he continued to enrich the stage with his productions.
A testament to his profound commitment to the arts, Yashwanth envisioned and established a theatre school in Hubballi. This ambitious project, complete with an auditorium and other facilities on a one-acre plot, aimed to foster theatre activities and nurture new talent, though its journey faced challenges and didn’t unfold exactly as he had hoped.
His passing has drawn condolences from numerous prominent figures, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, former Chief Ministers Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, and Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti, all expressing sorrow at the loss of a cultural stalwart.