Kannada poet Siddalingaiah dies due to Covid

Noted Kannada poet and activist Siddalingaiah has passed away Friday due to Covid-19 complications, PTI reported. He was admitted tom Bengaluru’s Manipal Hospital. He was 67 years old. “Despite best efforts, he succumbed to his illness at 3.45 pm on June 11,” a statement by the hospital said. His wife too was infected by COVID-19 and has recovered.

One of Karnataka’s first prominent Dalit poets, Siddalingaiah was a proponent of the Dalit Bandaya literary movements. He was also a playwright, activist and politician. He was a Member of Legislative Assembly in 1988. In 2006, he became the chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority.

Holemadigara Haadu, Saaviraaru Nadigalu, Kappu Kaadina Haadu and Meravanige among others are his notable works.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa mourned the loss. He said, “Siddalingaiah narrated the pain of Dalits through his writings and awakened them. He endured the pain and his poems set the required blaze to the Dalit movement. His services to the state and Kannada language as Chairman, Kannada Development Board and as a two time MLC is commendable

“In his death, we have lost a great writer with social concern, who strived for the upliftment of the depressed classes. I pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family and followers to bear the loss.”