BANGALORE: Veteran theatre personality Chindodi Leela, known as Leelamma, passed away at Wockhardt Hospital on Thursday night. Leela was 76. She is survived by a son, Chandradhara.
Leela was admitted to Wockhardt Hospital on Banneraghatta Road on January 17, for multiple cardiac problems.
She underwent bypass surgery on January 18.
She was a recipient of the Padmashree, Rajyotsava, Kendra Sangeeta Nataka Academy and Gubbi Veeranna awards. Leela was the owner of KBR Drama Company, Davanagere.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, in a condolence message, said: “Karnataka has lost a versatile actress who dominated the stage both as an actress and a drama company owner.” Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kahrge, in Delhi, said that her passing away has left a void in Karnatak’s theatre movement.
Leela began her career as a theatre artiste in the play Halli Hudugi in which her brother, Chindodi Veerappa, acted as hero. Leela’s other famous dramas are Polisana Magalu, Bus Conductor and Maava Bandanappa Maava.
Polisana Magalu was staged 1,137 times at the Gubbi Veeranna Rangamandira in Bangalore and 4,500 times across the state. It entered the Guinness Book of World Records.
In 1982, Leela became a corporator in the Belgaum City Corporation.
She also acted in Kannda films such as Sharapanjara, Sri Krishnadevaraya, Tejaswini, Bhale Huduga. She was the chairman of Karnataka Drama Academy. In 2000, she represented Karnataka at the World Kannada Meet in England and the USA. She played the role of Tipu Sultan in UK and Basaveswara in USA.