Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 28: Well known writer, researcher and retired professor Shekhar Iddya (76) breathed his last at his residence in Suratkal on Monday July 27. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.

Shekhar, born in Iddya village near Suratkal, got priliminary education in Vidyadayinee group of educational institutions in Suratkal, before going to Mumbai in 1950 and working for the railways. He secured his M A degree in English from Mumbai university and worked at Dayanand College Mumbai from 1964 to 1967.  He joined Moodbidri Sri Mahavir College in 1967 and served Suratkal Govinda Dasa College as English lecturer since the year 1970 and retired as the head of English department of the college in the year 1990.

Shekhar had equal command over English, Kannada and Tulu languages. He brought out several books. He was a staunch fan of the late Shivaram Karant and had a rare collection of Karant's published works and articles. He had edited a collection of articles written by the late Karant. He had equal interest in collecting old articles, publications, postal stamps, caricatures, items used traditionally by the villagers etc., and was rightly conferred the title, 'Tulunadada Tuppe', He also worked for consumers movement and for 'Save Yakshagana' campaign. He was honoured at various forums like Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Tulu Sahitya Academy, Govinda Dasa College Book Lovers Club etc.

A holiday was declared for Govinda Dasa College on Monday as a mark of respect for the departed soul. A condolence meet was held in the college, where lofty ideals for which Iddya stood for and his services to the land and language were reminisced.