AMN
Noted Kannada writer and activist Professor Chandrashekhar Patil popularly known as Champa passed away in Bengaluru today morning. The 82 year old writer was suffering from age related illness for the past two years. The proponent of Kannada medium education, Champa was one of the prominent ‘Bandaya sahithi’ in Kannada literary school of thought. Being a Bandaya writer, he was an important voice in public discourse of Karnataka for over half a century.
His street play Jagadambeya was against the imposition of Emergency by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Prof Patil also had played a key role during the Gokak Agitation in 1980s for making Kannada the medium of education. He had served as the Chairman of Kannada Development Authority and was appointed President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat for a term. He was honored with the highest Rajyotsava Award by the State Government. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and many other dignitaries have condoled the death of Champa. The Chief Minister has said that the final rites of the departed writer will be performed with police honors.