Chittani Ramachandra Hegde

Chittani Ramachandra Hegde (1 January 1933 – 3 October 2017) was an Indian artist. He was one of the most popular Yakshagana artiste from Honnavara, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka (his birthplace). He was awarded with Padma Shri award in 2012. His career lasted until his death in 2017. Hegde was the first artist performing Yakshagana, to receive Padmashri award and he dedicated the award to "Yakshagana".
Hegde died of a stroke complicated by pneumonia at a hospital in Mumbai, India on 3 October 2017 at the age of 84.