Kannada writer Sumatheendra Nadig passes away

Bengaluru: Noted Kannada poet, writer and critic Sumatheendra R. Nadig passed away here this morning.

The 83-year-old writer came upon the literary scene as a prominent modern poet in the 1960s. He was a close associate of Gopalakrishna Adiga, the leader of the modernist movement. He also headed the National Book Trust in the 90s.

His important works include ‘Daampatya Geeta’ and ‘Panchabhoota’, collection of verses, besides critical works on Da.Ra. Bendre and Gopalakrishna Adiga.

Nadig has two master’s degrees in English, one from Mysore University and the other from Temple University (US). He also received a PhD in Kannada from Bangalore University and an honorary doctorate, “Shabda Marthand”, from Gurukul Kangri University, Hardwar.

He has received many awards, including the Karnataka Rajyothsava Prashsti, Dinakara Pratisthana Prashasti, V. M. Inamdar Prashsti, and M.V.Si. Puraskara.

He was the Chairman of National Book Trust from 1996 to 1999.