Kasargod : Veteran freedom fighter, Kayyar Kinhanna Rai, who was activist, educationist, author, poet and former journalist, who celebrated his hundredth birthday, passed away at his residence in Badiadka here on Sunday August 9.

He was Born Peradala in Kasargod on June 8, 1915 to Duggappa Rai and Deyyakke.

Kinhanna Rai had taken part in the freedom struggle and started life as a school teacher and was also journalist, wrote articles to various newspapers and publications. As poet and author, he has written books on various subjects including theatre, language, biographies and books for children. he was conferred honorary doctorate by Mangalore University in 2005.

He strongly campaigned for the merger of Kasargod district into Karnataka and in this regard founded the Kasargod Merger Action Council in 2002. He also was for the formation of a separate Tulunadu.

Kayyara was inspired by Rashtra Kavi Manjeshwar Govind Pai and had even authored his biography.

Karnataka Sahitya Academy award in 1969, National Award for Best Teacher in the same year, Honorary Fellowship by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (1970), Pejawar Award in literature in 2004, Alva’s Nudisri Award in 2005, Adarsha Ratna Award in 2006, Nadoja (Teacher of the State) Award in 2006, Karnataka Ekikarana (Unification) Award in 2007, the first Karnataka Gadinada Ratna Award and the Pampa Award in 2014 on his 99th birthday.are the list of prestigious awards conferred on him for his life time achievement. In 2005, he was conferred an honorary doctorate by Mangalore University. 

He is survived by six sons and two daughters. 

large number of people gathered at the residence to pay their last respects. District in charge minister B.Ramanatha Rai, Helth minister U.T Khader, Urban minister Vinaya Kumar Sorake, Fisheries minister Abhayachandra Jain, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Darmadarshi Harikrishan Punarooru, Dr Veerendra Heggade and  MLAs, MLCs condoled his death.

Deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district A B Ibrahim and others were visited the residence.