Mysuru:  Noted Kannada writer and Woman Rights activist Vijaya Dabbe passed away here yesterday following cardiac arrest. She was 66.

Vijaya, who was ailing for sometime, came to Mysuru to stay with her younger sister Chayadevi in Vijayanagar first stage a couple of days ago.

As she complained of uneasiness in breathing last evening, she was rushed to a private hospital, where she was declared brought dead.

Vijaya, born on June 1, 1951 at Dabbe village in Belur taluk of Hassan district, wrote a lot on feminism, while serving as a Professor at Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) of University of Mysore (UoM).

A recipient of Kannada Rajyotsava Award and Attimabbe, Anupama and Karnataka Sahitya Academy awards among others, she has to her credit over 15 literary works and 70 articles.

Her notable works include Tirugi Nintha Prashne (1995), Naari Daari Diganta (1977), Iruttave (1975), Neeru-Lohada Chinte (1985), Nayasena, Nagachandra – Ondu Adhyayana’ and ‘Hitaishiya Hejjegalu.’

She had done extensive research on the first generation of women writers of modern Kannada.

She was an active member of Samata, a women’s group in Mysuru and played a keyrole in mobilising women activists at a time when Farmer and Dalit Movements had gained momentum.

Vijaya reportedly lost her memory two decades ago when she met with a road accident in the city. She is survived by six sisters and two brothers. Her last rites were held today (Feb.24) at her native village Dabbe, according to family sources.