The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Raghavendra N. Khasnis passes away

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 20, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Raghavendra N. Khasnis passes away

Staff Reporter

Raghavendra Khasnis

BANGALORE: Renowned short story writer in Kannada Raghavendra N. Khasnis died here on Monday evening at a private hospital after a prolonged illness, according to family sources. He was 74 and is survived by his wife and daughter.

Mr. Khasnis, a non-prolific but outstanding writer, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease over a decade ago.

The works of the low-profile author were highly respected and drew accolades from several Kannada writers such as Girish Karnad and U.R. Ananthamurthy.

Even in the face of bureaucratic red tape delaying promised government help for medical care and dodgy publishers failing to pay him, Mr. Khasnis repeatedly refused to accept money offered by private organisations, as he was ideologically opposed to such largesse.

After The Hindu drew the attention of the Government on March 16 this year to Mr. Khasnis's failing health, the Directorate of Kannada and Culture sent a mandarin who visited the hospital and made the payment with some allegedly graceless remarks about Parkinson's Disease not being included in the list of diseases covered under the health scheme.

The soft-spoken Mr. Khasnis enriched the world of Kannada short stories for over 45 years.

His major works include Tabbaligalu, Aopaghatha, Mona Lisa, Allaudinana Adbhuta Deepa and Heegoo Irabahudu. Some of them have been translated into several Indian languages, besides English.