Uppala : Hundreds of people bid farewell to litterateur, freedom fighter and centenarian Kayyara Kinhanna Rai, popularly known as the elder brother of Kasargod, who breathed his last on Sunday.

The litterateur was laid to rest with state honours, near his residence ‘Kavitha Kuteera’ at Peradala in Badiadka, Kasaragod on Monday afternoon. Terming the demise of the litterateur an irreparable loss to the literary world, Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree said the State government will consider constructing a memorial for Kayyara Kinhanna Rai at Badiadka. Meanwhile, admirers of Rai requested the government to preserve the books in his personal library.

Also, a public library should be opened by Badiadka GP in his memory. As a mark of respect to the great litterateur, holiday was declared for schools in Badiadka Gram Panchayat limits.

Also, the merchant associations in the region, voluntarily closed down their shops for half day.
A condolence meet was held at Badiadka on Monday evening.

The last rites were performed by Kayyara Kinhanna Rai’s elder son Durgaprasad Rai.

Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai, Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree, and others were present.