Mangaluru: Unlike some white collared writers, Kota Shivaram Karanth moved freely with people and his works touched readers as they relate to events happening around, poet and Padma Shri awardee K.S. Nisar Ahmed said here on Tuesday.

Speaking after receiving Karanth Award conferred by Dakshina Kannada Sahitya Parihat on the occasion of Karanth’s birth anniversary, Mr. Ahmed said through his versatile works Karanth had openly expressed what he had experienced. No other writer has given the essence of the lifestyle of coastal region than Karanth, he said.

Recalling his earlier days, Mr. Ahmed said he grew up reading the works of Karanth. While “Choomana Dudi” was the book he read during his high school days, it was books namely “Kudiyara Koosu” and “Kisa Gautami” during his college days. It is amazing to see a wide range of books by Karanth, he said.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi, B.A. Vivek Rai said Karanth remained active in the field of art and literature till his last breath. Mr. Rai said he was fortunate to have many close conversations with Karanth in his last 20 years.