Tearful adieu to Kayyara Kinhanna Rai

Kasaragod, Aug 10: Hundreds of people including dignitaries from Kerala and Karnataka paid tributes to late Kannada poet and freedom fighter Kayyara Kinhanna Rai at his residence at Perdala near Badiadukka on Monday.

The mortal remains of Mr. Rai who passed away at his residence at the age of 101, was cremated with full State honours as hundreds bid adieu to the multi-faceted personality who strived to reminisce the cultural, social and developmental aspiration of the ‘Tulunadu’ region.

Hundreds of people streamed into his residence to pay their last respects as the news of his demise trickled in.

Minister for Culture K. C. Joseph reached his residence and paid rich tributes for his contribution as a litterateur, freedom fighter, social activist and academician.

Prominent leaders from Karnataka who reached here to pay homage to Mr. Rai included State ministers Umashree, U. T. Khader, Ramnath Rai besides local MLAs P. B. Abdul Razak, N. A. Nellikkunnu, K. Kunhiraman (Uduma) and E. Chandrashekharan.

Senior district officials including Collector P. S. Muhammed Sagir, Superintendent of Police A. Srinivas and leaders of prominent political parties besides senior cultural representatives from Kerala and Karnataka also paid homage.

Those who paid homage to Kinhanna Rai included district panchayat president P. P. Shyamala Devi

Traders in Badiadukka panchayat observed hartal till noon while the schools in the panchayat were closed as mark of respect to the poet.