Noted critic, poet, and teacher Giraddi Govindraj died of a massive heart attack at his residence in Dharwad on Friday. He was 79.

Prof. Govindraj is survived by wife Saroja, two sons, and two daughters. Prof. Govindraj was alone at home when he reportedly suffered a heart attack. When his wife who had gone to market in the evening returned, she found Prof. Govindraj was not responding. Immediately he was taken to a private nursing home and doctors declared him brought dead.

Recipient of several awards, including the Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award (2002), Lifetime Award of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy (1992), Prof. Govindraj was born in an agricultural family in 1939 at Abbigeri in Ron taluk of Gadag district. He also served as Chairman of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and played an active role in organising Dharwad Sahitya Sambhrama in the recent years. Prof. Govindraj began writing poems from his college days, and wrote poems, critical essays, and short stories and edited several volumes in both Kannada and English. Considered a serious man, he was also known for expressing his views boldly, some of which also courted controversy.

Family members said his mortal remains would be kept at his residence at Nirmal Nagar, near Karnatak University, till 11 a.m. on Saturday and then taken to Abbigeri village for the final rites.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / by Special Correspondent / Hubballi – May 12th, 2018