Mysuru: Kannada litterateur Padma Shri D. Javare Gowda passed away here on May 30 at Jaideva hospital in Mysuru following a brief illness.
He was rushed to the hospital following a heart attack three days ago. However, his condition worsened on Monday and he breathed his last, said Dr Sandeep of Jaideva hospital.
Popularly known as De. Ja. Gow., he was a disciple of Kuvempu and had penned several books. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysuru (UoM).
He had launched an indefinite fast and threatened to return the Padma Shri conferred on him in 2001 demanding classical language status for Kannada.
De. Ja. Gow. also chaired the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Bengaluru in 1970. He was conferred Karnataka Ratna and Pampa awards, and the Nadoja title by the State government for his contribution to promote Kannada.
Born in Channapatna taluk, he is survived by his son, former VC of UoM, Shashidhar and daughter Dr Chandrakala.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has condoled the demise of the veteran writer and thinker D Javare Gowda (DeJaGow).
In a statement released by CM office said that DeJaGow’s contribution to the cause of Kannada and culture is incomparable and laudable. He played a pivotal role in getting classical language status for Kannada, Siddaramaiah said.
The final rites will be held on Tuesday.
