Karnataka leaders remember literary legend UR Ananthamurthy

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday condoled the death of Jnanpith award winner UR Ananthamurthy, saying it was a great loss to the state literary world and describing him as “an ocean of thoughts.” Remembering Ananthamurthy as one of the pioneers of the “Navya” (new) movement in Kannada literature,Siddaramaiah said he advocated that literary personalities should have social responsibility and always responded to things that are of public interest and raised his voice for it. [caption id=“attachment_1677941” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  UR Ananthamurthy. AFP[/caption] The Chief Minister said Ananthamurthy was a true socialist and a “public intellectual.” Ananthmurthy had his unique opinion about various issues and used to analyse things differently as he was “an ocean of thoughts.” He was a true ambassador of Kannada literature, and it has become poorer with his death, he added. Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy in his condolence message said Ananthamurthy had brought laurels to the state through his literature. He was known for his ideological writings and stands he took. Karnataka state BJP president Pralhad Joshi said in Ananthamurthy’s death Karnataka has lost a great scholar and a thinker. Former Infosys Chief Financial Officer Mohandas Pai in his tweeted: “U R Ananthmurthy’s sad demise is a great loss for India. A man of great intellect, charm, integrity, liberal to a fault, a great patriot.” PTI