Kannada Poet H.S. Venkatesh Murthy Dies at 81
Murthy received the Rajyotsava Award in 1993, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, and the Best Lyricist award
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2025-05-30 11:37 GMT
BENGALURU: Rajyotsava awardee H.S. Venkatesh Murthy (81), a renowned Kannada poet, playwright, critic, and literary scholar, passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday. He had been undergoing treatment for age-related health issues. His final rites were conducted later that evening in the city.
Venkatesh Murthy wrote dialogues and lyrics for several Kannada films. He was also a prolific writer for children, creating songs, rhymes, plays, and stories. One of his children's stories, Chinnari Mutha, was adapted into a Kannada film that went on to win a national award.
He contributed to films such as Kotreshi Kanasu, America America, Mythri, and Kirik Party. He also wrote the title songs for popular Kannada television serials Muktha and Mahaparva. Murthy was widely known for his literary works, especially his poetry. His notable poetry collections include Parivrutha, Bagilu Badida Janagalu, Saugandhika, and Moovathu Malegala. His plays include Hejjegalu, Ondu Sainika Vruthantha, and Agnivarsha, among others.
Murthy received the Rajyotsava Award in 1993, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, and the Best Lyricist award at the 66th Filmfare South Awards, among other honors. He presided over the 85th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Kalaburagi in 2020.
He was born on June 23, 1944, in Hodigere, Channagiri taluk, Davangere district.
Venkatesh Murthy wrote dialogues and lyrics for several Kannada films. He was also a prolific writer for children, creating songs, rhymes, plays, and stories. One of his children's stories, Chinnari Mutha, was adapted into a Kannada film that went on to win a national award.
He contributed to films such as Kotreshi Kanasu, America America, Mythri, and Kirik Party. He also wrote the title songs for popular Kannada television serials Muktha and Mahaparva. Murthy was widely known for his literary works, especially his poetry. His notable poetry collections include Parivrutha, Bagilu Badida Janagalu, Saugandhika, and Moovathu Malegala. His plays include Hejjegalu, Ondu Sainika Vruthantha, and Agnivarsha, among others.
Murthy received the Rajyotsava Award in 1993, the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, and the Best Lyricist award at the 66th Filmfare South Awards, among other honors. He presided over the 85th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Kalaburagi in 2020.
He was born on June 23, 1944, in Hodigere, Channagiri taluk, Davangere district.