Patla Satish Shetty who has moved out a successful Yakshagana Bhagavatha in Tenkutittu style over the past 15 years. He was born in a Tulu-speaking Patla Guthu family and grew up in the town Karopadi, Bantwal Taluk in the district of South Canara(Dakshina Kannada). He was born to Patla Mahabala Shetty and Lalitha Shetty couple. He is the youngest, and he has one elder brother and one elder sister.
His grandfather is Patla Dugappa Shetty who was a very reputed person in their town.
Patla Sathish Shetty developed a keen interest in Yakshagana while pursuing his Pre-University course and learnt Yakshagana Bhagavathike, Chende and Maddale from the Mambadi Subrahmanya. Seemanthur Narayana Shetty tutored him in Yakshagana Chandassu while Satish learnt Carnatic music from Roshan Kumar.
A part of the Shree Durga Parameshwari Dashavathara Yakshagana Mandali of Sri Kshetra Kateel since 15 years, Satish is the Chief Bhagavatha of the 5th Mela of Kateel. Known for his melodious voice and tone Patla Satish Shetty has won in numerous admirers whom he has mesmerised by his sterling performances. His inimitable voice which is melodious and has excellent depth has left Yakshagana lovers spellbound. Many of his fans just wouldn’t mind travelling the long distance to hear their favourite artiste’s Yakshagana Bhagavathike.
Patla who has earned several titles like Yuva Bhagavatha, Gaana Mandara, Gaana Gandharva, Gaana Kogile, has till date over 500 awards to his credit. People fondly called him Yaksha Dhruva.
Name and fame have never deviated Satish Shetty Patla from his single-minded goal of pursuing Bhagavathike with great zeal but has made him much more determined. He has travelled extensively and has been part of Yakshagana shows presented in various parts of the nation but also overseas including US, Singapore, Dubai, Kuwait and Muscat. Not even in Yakashagana, he has also sung songs in the films such as Rangitharanga (Kannada), Pilibail Yamunakka (Tulu), Banna Bannada Baduku(Kannada).
Sathish Shetty Patla has been started Yakshadhruva Trust, the trust aims to encourage and protect Yakshagana, the art form of coastal Karnataka and for the welfare of the Yakshagana artists. This trust was established last year because of catering to the needs of the artists. Now, this trust is planning to provide a hundred sites to the financially backward artists of Yakshagana.
Patla Mahabala Shetty and Lalitha Shetty(his parents)
With his wife Nirmitha Shetty and son Hrudhan
[Reference: Bayalaata, MangaloreToday, Patla Sathish Shetty Fans Club Mangalore, Google]