Mangaluru : Dakshina Kannada district Working Journalists Association paid rich tributes to litterateur Kayyara Kinhanna Rai, who passed away on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, senior journalist Manohar Prasad said that State government had missed an opportunity to honour Kayyara Kinhanna Rai with ‘Karnataka Rathna’ award during his lifetime.

Kayyara penned many poems for children, which were also included in textbooks. Many recall his poems like ‘Santhege Hodanu Bhimanna’ and ‘Eruthihudu Haruthihudu Nodu Namma Bavuta’ which are rich in meaning, moral and patriotic spirit.

Also, as a journalist, he was the editor of ‘Swadeshabhimani’ and ‘Rastrabandhu’ newspapers, through which he strived to bring a positive change in society. He always batted for the rights of downtrodden. In his autobiography ‘Dudimeye Devaru’ one can see that he considered agriculture as a noble job, being an agriculturist himself. When Gandhiji had visited Mangaluru, Kayyara walked all the way from Badiadka in Kasargod, to Mangaluru to listen to the speech of Gandhiji. Such was his patriotism. Greatly inspired by Gandhiji, he followed Gandhian principals throughout his life. He followed Swadeshi way of life and wore only khadi.

Journalist Chidambar Baikampadi recalled that Kayyara encouraged a lot of young literary enthusiasts.

Kayyara’s son-in-law, Advocate Kallige Taranath Shetty said that Kayyara Kinhanna Rai wanted the people of Kerala and Karnataka to remain united. He had expressed this very feeling while giving an interview to a Malayalam daily on Sunday, a few hours before he breathed his last. The same afternoon he passed away, he said.

Kayyara Kinhanna Rai’s elder son Durgaprasad Rai, Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor, DK district Working Journalists Association president Bala Jagannath Shetty and Journalist Chidambar Baikampadi were present among others.

Floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Kayyara on the occasion.