File Photo: Reputed Writer UR Ananthamurthy
Jnanpith awardee and renowned Kannada writer UR Ananthamurthy today died at a hospital in Bangalore, where he was undergoing treatment for kidney failure.
The 82-year-old was said to be in critical condition and was on multi-monitor support. He was hospitalised for infection and fever 10 days ago.
"....Anantha Murthy has been unwell for a while, he had multiple problems including kidney disease for which he had been on dialysis for the last few years......," Manipal Hospital Medical Director & Chairman - Medical Advisory Board H Sudarshan Ballal told reporters earlier today.
An educator, writer, and commentator second to none, Mr Ananthamurthy was a new voice in Kannada literature - part of the Navya movement. His novel Samskara questioned established caste conventions and caused controversy when it was published in the 1960s as it was strongly critical of Brahmin conventions.
Mr Ananthamurthy was a staunch critic of the Sangh Parivaar and in some parts of Karnataka his death was greeted by fire crackers, though the Prime Minister personally reached out to condole the death of the writer.
"Shri UR Ananthamurthy's demise is a loss to Kannada literature. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace," PM Modi tweeted.
Mr Ananthamurthy was never frightened about speaking his mind. His criticism of Narendra Modi saw him receive threatening calls and online abuse. When he said that he would not want to live in a country where Narendra Modi was prime minister, it resulted in a strong backlash.
So strong was the anger against Mr Ananthamurthy because of the views he expressed, that crackers were burst after his death in some parts of Karnataka.
The BJP, meanwhile, strongly condemned the incidents of celebration and said: "We clarify categorically party has nothing to do with this act. The PM and State President have already expressed their condolence. So have other leaders. We do not support this uncultured behaviour."