With Siddalingaiah’s death, Kannada literature loses a writer par excellence
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Bengaluru: It was a black day for Kannada literature, especially for revolutionary literature, as writer Siddalingaiah passed away on Friday. He was 67.
Siddalingaiah was suffering from Covid for the past several weeks and was undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospitals.
According to sources close to the family, both Siddalingaiah and his wife were infected by Covid. While his wife recovered, Siddalingaiah succumbed to the virus.
Siddalingaiah is survived by wife, daughter and son.
Siddalingaiah who was known as first ‘Dalit Poet’ was also prominent among the litterateurs for having several notable works to his credit.
He was known for laying foundation for ‘Bandaya Sahitya’ (Revolutionary Writing) as a way of expression to protest the ills of the society. He along with late B Krishnappa also founded Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS).
A native of Manchanabele in Magadi taluk in Ramanagar, Siddalingaiah had retired as Professor of Kannada Department from Bangalore University.
At the age of 34, Siddalingaiah was the member of State Legislative COUNCIL in 1988.
He had served as the Chairman of both Kannada Development Authority and Kannada Book Authority for two terms.
He was the chairman of 81st Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held at Shravanabelagola in Hassan.
Siddalingaiah’s autobiography ‘Ooru Keri’ in three volumes was one of the popular works.
Siddalingaiah was also a recipient of Pampa Award, Nrupathunga Award, Nadoja and Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.
As a film lyricist Siddalingaiah had written popular ‘Gelati O Gelati…’song for Puttanna Kanagal’s Dharani Mandala Madhyadolage, “Aa Bettadalli..’ of Baa Nalle Madhuchandrake directed by Nagatihalli Chandrashekar with retired IAS officer K Shivaram in the lead role.
– Team Mysoorunews
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