Eminent Kannada poet and freedom fighter Kayyara Kinhanna Rai passed away at Badiyadkka in Kasaragod district of Kerala on Sunday August 9. He was 101. He was an author, poet, journalist and Indian independence activist.

Kayyara was Born Peradala in Kasargod on June 8, 1915 to Duggappa Rai and Deyyakke. Kinhanna Rai had taken part in the freedom struggle and started life as a school teacher and was also journalist, wrote articles to various newspapers and publications.

He was forefront in the movement of merging the Kannada-speaking region of the Chandragiri River (Kasaragod district) with Karnataka in order to fulfill its linguistic and development aspirations after the 1957 States Re-organisation. For this cause, he had founded Kasaragod Vileenekarana Kriya Samiti.

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Poet, freedom fighter Kayyara Kinhanna Rai passes away:

Kayyara was inspired by Rashtra Kavi Manjeshwar Govind Pai and had even authored his biography. As poet and author, he has written books on various subjects including theatre, language, biographies and books for children. he was conferred honorary doctorate by Mangalore University in 2005.

Karnataka Sahitya Academy award in 1969, National Award for Best Teacher in the same year, Honorary Fellowship by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (1970), Pejawar Award in literature in 2004, Alva’s Nudisri Award in 2005, Adarsha Ratna Award in 2006, Nadoja (Teacher of the State) Award in 2006, Karnataka Ekikarana (Unification) Award in 2007, the first Karnataka Gadinada Ratna Award and the Pampa Award in 2014 on his 99th birthday.

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As news of his demise spread, large number of people began gathering at the residence to pay their last respects. Deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district A B Ibrahim were among those who visited the residence. The last rites will be held on Monday August 10, family sources said.