Bengaluru: Noted Kannada literary figure Chandrashekhar Patil popularly known as 'Champa' has died at a private hospital here on Monday morning, due to age related ailments.
He was 82 and is survived by wife, a son and a daughter, sources close to his family said.
He was suffering from age-related ailments and was shifted to hospital last night as his health situation deteriorated, they said.
A poet, playwright, Patil had also served as President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.
An activist by nature, he was one of the foremost voices of ‘Bandaya' genre of Kannada literature
He has participated in several literary and farmers movement or agitations including Gokak agitation, Bandaya movement, anti-Emergency agitation among others, and was a strong proponent of Kannada language as a medium of instruction in schools.
Patil, who was professor of English from Karnataka University, was the editor of the influential literary journal 'Sankramana', and had also served as Chairman of Kannada Development Authority.
He is recipient of Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award and Pampa Award among others.
His popular works include poetries like- Banuli, Madhyabindu, 19 Kavanagalu, also plays like Kodegalu, Appa, Gurtinavaru, among others, including several essays. He also wrote in English like- "At the other end", which is an anthology of his poems.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai condoling Patil's death said his contribution to Kannada literary field is immense and his passing away has created a huge void.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, former Chief Ministers- Siddaramaiah, H D Kumaraswamy, several of Bommai's cabinet colleagues and political and literary figures have condoled Patil's death.
