Mangaluru: Renowned Tulu writer and former president of Tulu Sahitya Academy Sitarama Kulal breathed his last on Sunday, July 28. He was 78.

A resident of Bejai, Sitarama Kulal had written lyrics for Tulu songs, of which ‘Mokeda Singari, ‘Pakkilu Mooji Onje Goodudu Badukondunduge’, ‘Parashuramana Kodalig Puttina Tulunad’, ‘Brahmana Baravau Majande Ponda’, and ‘Dingiri Mama Dingiri Mama Podid Parada’ became quite popular.

He has written lyrics for several Tulu movies. His love for Tulu art and literature was evident in the fact that he never charged any fee for any of his works.

A recipient of several awards namely ‘Tulu Ratna’, ‘Permeda Tuluve’, ‘Tulu Siri’, ‘Tulu Sahitya Ratnakara’ and ‘Taulava Prashasti’, Sitarama Kulal had also been bestowed with honorary award by Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy