Noted Kannada poet, playwright and former President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat Dr Chandrashekhar Patil (83) passed away this morning at a private hospital near Konanakunte Cross on Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru.
Regarded as one of the foremost voices of ‘Bandaya’ genre of Kannada literature, he was popularly called ‘Champa’— his pen name.
Champa was the editor of the influential literary journal 'Sankramana'. He was known for leading many social and literary movements such as historical Gokak agitation, Bandaya movement and anti-Emergency movement, agitation for the implementation of Mandal report, farmer's movement and others.
After retiring as professor of English from Karnatak University in Dharwad, Patil served as the President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat and as the Chairman of the Kannada Development Authority. Patil had returned his Pampa Award, the highest literary honour of the government of Karnataka protesting the assassination of scholar Professor M.M. Kalburgi.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has expressed condolences for the death of Patil. Patil hailed from Hattimattur village in Haveri district and went on to become popular as 'Champa'. "He is a revolutionary litterateur. His contribution to Kannada literature is immense. He fought for the supremacy of the language of the land all through," Bommai said.
Opposition leader Siddaramaiah has also shared his condolence message and said his death is a loss to Kannada literature world.
Patil is survived by his wife and two children.
(With agency inputs)
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