Noted Kannada writer Poornachandra Tejasvi passes away

Bangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) Renowned Kannada writer Poornachandra Tejasvi died of cardiac arrest at Mudigere in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka today.

He was 68. He is survived by two children.

Mr Tejasvi, son of Jnanapeeth awardee and noted Kannada poet late K V Puttappa, popularly known as Kuvempu, had bagged the Kendriya Sahitya, State Sahitya Academy and Pampa Sahitya awards.

Born on September 18, 1938, at Kuppalli in Shimoga district, Mr Tejasvi had penned more than 40 books, including many on science and birds of Western Ghats. His books 'Karvalu' and 'Chidambara Rahasya' had bagged the Kendra Sahitya Academy and Kannada Sahitya Academy awards respectively. Films were made based on his books like 'Ambachurina Post Office' and 'Tabarana Kathe'.

Mr Tejasvi, a trendsetter in the 20th century Kannada writing, was an ornithologist and photographer. A simple man by nature, he had declined nomination to the Karnataka Upper House.

Condoling the demise, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the death was a great loss to the Kannada literary world and the 21st century. His life was a role model for the younger generation.

Describing him as a straight forward person, he recalled that the writer had contributed immensely to creating awareness among the public about many issues, including environment and birds.

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President H D Deve Gowda, condoling the death of Mr Tejasvi, said his death had created a vacuum in the Kannada literary field.

Jnanapeeth awardee U R Ananthamurthy, in his message, said ''Mr Tejasvi was my student. With his death, the Kannada literary field has lost a great writer.'' UNI