Bangalore: Rashtrakavi G S Shivarudrappa dies at 87

Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 23: Noted poet, writer and researcher Rashtrakavi G S Shivarudrappa passed away at his residence here on Monday December 23. He was 87.

In 2006, he became only the third poet to have been conferred the title of 'Rashtrakavi' by the state government. Shivarudrappa was born in Shikaripur in Shimoga district. He was inspired by another 'Rashtrakavi', Kuvempu, who was his teacher. He began as a teacher at Mysore University in 1949 and later became the head of the Kannada department in Osmania University, Hyderabad. Later on, he joined Bangalore University.

He served as the president of Karnataka Sahitya Academy between 1987 and 1990. His works were a fine blend of art and social commitment. Over a long career as a poet, writer and researcher, he won a number of state and national awards, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Pampa Prashasti and Central Sahitya Akademi Award.

He has published 13 anthologies, a number of prose and research works and four travelogues.

He is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter.

Describing Shivarudrappa's death as an "irreparable loss" to the state and Kannada literary world, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a two-day state mourning from today as a mark of respect to him.

He also announced a holiday for government offices and educational institutions tomorrow.

The funeral of Shivarudrappa would be performed with full state honours, he said.

With PTI Inputs