Bengaluru: It is a sad day for Karnataka’s cultural heritage as the colossus of Kannada literature, U.R. Ananthamurthy, breathed his last at 6.33 pm on Friday. He was taken to the hospital ten days ago after four years of dialysis finally resulted in renal failure.
He vital parameters began to drop on Friday. “Despite our best efforts to resuscitate him, we lost a great citizen at 6.33 pm on Friday,” said Dr H.S. Ballal, director and chairman of the medical advisory board of Manipal hospital.
Ananthamurthy was put on a ventilator after he had trouble breathing due to an infection in his lungs and kidney that soon spread across his body.
The Jnanpith awardee is survived by his wife, Esther and their two children. The 81-year-old writer is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Navya Movement in Kannada literature and is best known for his 1966 novel, Samskara.
CONTROVERSY
I won’t live in a country ruled by Narendra Modi. When I was young, I used to criticise Nehru. But his supporters always respected our views. Modi supporters are behaving like Fascists. I don't want to see a man like Modi in the chair. If Modi becomes the PM, it will be a big shock to me. I won’t live. — U.R. Ananthamurthy
