Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Sep 16: Manorama M Bhat (92), wife of senior lawyer and Yakshagana artiste the late Muliya Mahabala Bhat, passed away at a private hospital in the city on September 15. She is survived by two sons.

Manorama Bhat was a revolutionary, renowned litterateur, storyteller, and Akashavani artiste. She began her literary journey by writing short stories and went on to author several books, including Swayamvara (a compilation of short stories), Aayke (a compilation of AIR dramas), Nirdhaara, Hosahaadi, Neenu mathu Naanu, Runanubhanda, Chandramatiya Kanasu, and Bali. She also advocated against the practice of removing the mangalsutra from the neck of a widow. Manorama was one of the founding members of the Karavali Writers and Readers Association and later served as its president.

She was also the secretary of the Centenary Committee for her father-in-law, Muliya Timmappaiah, and played a key role in organizing the Muliya Award program for more than two decades. Due to old age, she had been living in an ashram on the outskirts of the city after residing alone in her house at Urwa Store, Mangaluru.

Manorama Bhat was the recipient of several awards, including the Attimabbe Foundation Literary Award, the Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award, and the Suvarna Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, among others.