BENGALURU: Well-known Kannada writer and scholar Nadoja Dr Kamala Hampana passed away after suffering a heart attack at her daughter’s house in Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, on Saturday morning.
Dr Kamala Hampana was 89. She is survived by her husband Prof Hampa Nagarajaiah, two daughters and a son. As per her wish, her body will be donated to Ramaiah Medical College.
A recipient of Daana Chintamani Attimabbe Award and Nadoja Award, Dr Kamala Hampana was born in Devanahalli on October 28, 1935, and had her primary education at Challakere. She went to high school in Tumakuru and completed SSLC in 1953. She moved to Mysuru for college education and completed BA course in 1955.
After obtaining a doctorate degree in Kannada literature, she worked as a Kannada professor in Bengaluru and Mysuru Maharani colleges. She later became the principal of the Government First Grade College at Vijayanagar in Bengaluru.
She was known for her works on Jain literature and identified herself with women’s and Dalit movements. In 2003, she presided over the 71st All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Moodabidri.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, DCM DK Shivakumar, BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai and other dignitaries mourned her death. “I am saddened by the unexpected death of veteran writer Dr Kamala Hampana. Dr Kamala was popular for her research and teaching along with literary work. She wished good for all. I extend my condolences to the family of Dr Hampa Nagarajaiah. May her soul rest in peace,” the CM wrote on X.
“Sad to hear the news of Kamala Hampana’s demise. She contributed immensely to the field of literature through her writings, speeches, studies and teaching for six decades. The passing away of Nadoja awardee Kamala is a great loss to the literary world,” Shivakumar said.
“The news of Nadoja Kamala Hampana’s demise is very painful. My condolences to her family. She made a mark in the field of Kannada literature through her articles and research. I pray to God to give strength to Dr Hampa Nagarajaiah’s family to bear this loss,” Bommai posted on X.