Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)

Dharwad, Feb 16: Veteran poet, Nadoja Dr Chennaveeera Kanavi, who is popularly known as Kannada Samanvaya Kavi and Sakrat of Suneetas, has breathed his last. He was 93.

Kanavi was being treated in a hospital for the last some days because of ill health. He had contracted Covid infection. He also was suffering from difficulty in breathing. He had been admitted into SDM Hospital at Dharwad on January 14.

Nadoja Dr Chennaveera Kanavi was born on June 28, 1928, at Hombala in Dharwad district. He secured his BA and MA degrees from Karnatak University. He had served as the secretary of the publication and extension service department of Karnatak University and director of Prasaranga. He was known as a poet of emotions who excelled in coordination.

Dr Kanavi's first ever collection of poems titled 'Kavyakshi' was released in the year 1949. He later brought out collections of poems like Bhavajeevi, Aakashabutti, Mannina Mereavanige, Nelamugilu, Jeevadhwani and others. He had bagged the central Sajiotya Akademi award, Anakru Foundation award, Rajyotsava award etc. He had presided over the Akhil Bharat Kannada Sahitya Sammelan held at Hassan. Hampi University had honoured him with 'Nadoja' title. Karnatak University bestowed honorary doctorate on him. Konkani poet Melvyn Rodrigues has translated his poetry collection 'Jeevadhwani' into Konkani as 'Jivatallo' which is published by Sahitya Akademi in the year 2021.