Condolences to Jnanpith awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy poured out on social media, within minutes of his passing away. Despite having several of his statements critiqued by many on social media, several people condoled his death, remembered him for his contributions to Kannada literature.
In his tweet, Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) said: Saddened by news of Jnanpith award winning litterateur UR Ananthamurthy passing away in Bangalore. My Prayers & Condolences to the family.
Chandrababu Naidu (@APChiefMinister) tweeted: Deeply saddened by the demaise of U.R. Ananthamurthy. My sincere condolences to his family members.
Renowned writer Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) tweeted: U.R. Ananthamurthy had three simultaneous careers; as novelist, educationist and controversialist: and he was influential in all.
Former Minister S. Suresh Kumar, in a message on Facebook, said: I condole the passing away of the Thinker-Writer U.R. Ananthamurthy. Though ideologically we were poles apart, I respected his incisive writings. There were occasions when I had strongly criticised but I admired his differently thinking attitude. He had made us proud when Jnanapith Award was bestowed on him. He was suffering since long. Many a time he ignored the nuances and talked bluntly. Especially the ideology, which I belong to, was a strong anathema to him. I condole the passing away of the personality who married himself in thinking differently.
It was not just politicians who condoled his death.
Film director Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) tweeted: Saddened to hear about the demise of U.R. Ananthamurthy. Karnataka and India have lost a thinking, brilliant mind. Rest in Peace, sir.
Blr Lit Fest (@BLF_temp) tweeted: A great loss to the literary fraternity. Blr Lit Fest prays for U.R. Ananthamurthy’s soul to rest.
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