Kannada poet KS Nisar Ahmed passes away

BENGALURU: Renowned Kannada poet KS Nisar Ahmed died on Sunday in his residence in Bengaluru.

He was 85. He was suffering from cancer and breathed his last in his house in Padmanabha Nagar

Born on February 5, 1936 in Devanahalli

, Kokkare Hosahalli Shekh Haider Nisar Ahmed was a known as Nithyotsava Kavi after his poem detailing the grandeur of Karnataka

The poem became the state’s unofficial anthem after it was picked up singers of Sugama Sangeeta, Karnataka’s very own school of light music.

Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu, mocking the tendencies of people to follow their leader like sheep in a herd is another gem that contributed to Ahmed’s popularity. Written during the Sino-Indian war in 1960s, the poem has remained relevant till date.

His another famous poem, Nimmodaniddu Nimmantaagade, narrates the dilemmas one faces while retaining his or her religious roots.

His other works include Manasu Gandhi Bazaru, Sanje Aidara Male, and Manadondige Mathukathe. He also translated William Shakespeare’s works into Kannada including ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Othello’.

A prominent poet of the Navya (modernist) school of literature, he was honoured with Padma Shri award in 2008.

A geologist by qualification, he worked with the Mysore Mines and Geology at Gulbarga (now called as Kalaburgi) and also later in various colleges.

Chief minister BS Yediyurappa mourned Ahmed’s demise and said that he was an asset to Kannada literature.

Kannada Book Authority president MN Nandish Hanche said Ahmed was one of the best poets of the century and his works will remain eternal.