Mysore/Mysuru: Renowned writer Prof. K. Bhyravamurthy passed away at a private hospital here late on Monday night following brief illness. He was 77. A resident of Vidyaranyapuram here, he leaves behind his son Manoj, daughter-in-law and a host of relatives and friends. His wife Vijayakumari had predeceased him a couple of  years ago.

His body was kept for public viewing at his Vidyaranyapuram residence for sometime yesterday. His last rites were performed at the foot of Chamundi Hill on Tuesday evening, according to sources.

Prof. K. Byravamurthy was born at Santhe Kesalagere in Kothathi hobli of Mandya district on May 30, 1945. After completing his studies at Mysuru’s Maharaja’s College and Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, he joined Maharaja’s Evening College as a Kannada faculty in 1969 and retired as a Professor after serving the college for 36 years.

A prolific writer, Prof. Bhyravamurthy has more than fifteen literary and poetry works, over a thousand modern Vachanas and more than 400 articles  to his credit. He had also Chaired  Mandya District Sahitya Sammelana that was held a few years ago. He has won many awards and prizes given by various Institutions and Organisations.

He had brought out a felicitation volume on Dejagow titled ‘Kayaka Vibhuti.’ He had also recently brought out a book on Poet Doddarangegowda titled ‘Madhugiriya Manikya.’ Felicitation volumes ‘Shivamaya’ and ‘Akshaya’ are dedicated to Prof. Bhyravamurthy. ‘Bhyrava Deepti’, a collection of over 300 lymerics, written by different authors from across the State on Prof. Bhyravamurthy, was set for release next month.

A host of writers and intellectuals have condoled his death. Veteran writer Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK), MLC Dr. D. Thimmaiah, theatre personality Rajashekar Kadamba, M. Chandrashekar, Mysore Ranganath, Dr. MGR Urs  and others were among those who paid their last respects to the departed writer.