Bengaluru: Kamala Hampana (89), one of the prominent women writers in Kannada, passed away today (June 22) at her residence in Rajajinagar, due to age-related causes.

She leaves behind her littérateur husband Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah (Hampana), two daughters and a son. Body will be kept for public-viewing till evening and later will be donated to Ramaiah Medical College as per her wish.

Profile: Born in Devanahalli on October 28, 1935, Kamala Hampana was an academician, researcher and teacher, apart from a writer. She published over 60 books in Kannada across various genres and two books in English Attimabbe and Chalukyas and Jainism and Other Essays in her career that spanned 60 years.

She also brought out nine research documents.

She was conferred the Government’s prestigious Dana Chintamani Attimabbe award and Hampi Kannada University’s Nadoja award for her works.

Many political leaders, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, took to X, to express their respects to Kamala Hampana. “I am saddened by the unexpected death of veteran writer Dr. Kamala Hampana. Along with her literary work, Dr. Kamala was also popular for her research and teaching. She wished good for all in her life. I also share the grief of Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah and his family,” the CM said.