Bangalore: Father of Kannada Detective Novels N Narasimhaiah Dies at 87

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 26: N Narasimhaiah, who had captivated the interests of a generation of Kannada readers with his unique style of narrating detective stories through novels, and who was known as ‘Sherlock Holmes’ of Karnataka, passed away in a private hospital here on Sunday December 25 afternoon, due to massive heart attack. He was 87 (18.9.1925). He had been battling for life since the last about three years.

He is survived by wife, three sons, and a daughter. Although Narasimhaiah earned lot of fans, his monetary earnings were meagre, and his books were low-priced. The prolific writer’s family faced financial problems in later years, and reportedly survived on Rs 1,000 monthly pension he used to get from the government.

Narasimhaiah, who was rightly known as the father of detective novels in Kannada, had penned over 550 detective novels, and over 50 social novels. ‘Pattedara (detective) Purushottama’, after the detective-cum-hero of most of his novels, was the first of his novels to be published in 1952. He also gave birth to three other detectives, ‘Pattedara Madhudoodana’, and ‘Pattedara Arinja’. People used to await publication of his novels, and Narasimahaiah used to keep the readers on tenterhooks till the last page of his novels. His novel, ‘Bhayankara Bairagi’, was reprinted eight times.

Narasimhaiah, who could not continue his education beyond fourth standard because of abject poverty and loss of father, shifted to Chikmagalur, native place of his mother, and started to work as bus cleaner when he was 14. He worked as bus conductor also, before starting work for a lorry service company in Bangalore. He married Nagaratnamma in 1947. During all these times, he never let go of the habit of reading, and began to write his own novels. He had won several honours including the felicitation he received at Kannada Sahitya Sammelan at Davangere in 1992, Attimabbe Foundation honour in 1992, and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 1997.

State law minister, Suresh Kumar, MLA, N L Narendra Babu, MLC, Hanumantaiah, former MLA, Vatal Nagaraj etc were among those who paid their last respects to the deceased.