Veteran stage, TV and Malayalam film artiste Kalashala Babu died in Kochi, Kerala, early yesterday. He was 68. Apart from donning the grease paint in close to 150 films, the multifaceted Babu was also a popular stage artiste. Born to Kathakali maestro Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Mohiniyattam exponent Kalamandalam Kalyanikutty Amma, Babu was a naturally gifted artiste. He is survived by his wife, a son and daughter.