Bangalore : Jnanpith awardee and renowned Kannada writer U R Ananthamurthy passed away on Friday evening at a hospital in Bangalore. He was hospitalised for infection and fever today morning.

The condition of 82-year old Murthy had deteriorated further and it was being closely monitored with multiple support system including dialysis, support for blood pressure, antibiotics for infection, and other measures, Manipal Hospital Medical Director & Chairman – Medical Advisory Board H Sudarshan Ballal had told reporters earlier.

Inspite of his kidney ailment, Murthy was very active both physically and mentally including extensive travelling and took up lot of assignments but in the last 10 to 15 days his condition worsened “to some extent”, he said.