MUMBAI: Jnanpith award winning Ravuri Bharadwaja passed away in Hyderabad on 18 October night. He was ailing for some time and was on ventilator in a private hospital in the city as per reports.

A week ago, he had gone to Delhi to collect Gyanpeeth award for his well known Telugu novel ‘Paakudu Raallu’ which reflected real life behind the silver screen of the film industry but after returning he fell ill. For while, he was suffering from kidney-related problems also.

He started his career at the young age of 17. His formal education might have lasted only till seventh grade, but his written novels and plays are utilized by students carrying out research for their several Phd degrees. He got honorary doctorates from Andhra, Nagarjuna and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological Universities for his literary prowess.

Bharadwaja has fabulous collections of short stories, 17 novels, four play-lets, and five radio plays. He also worked in All India Radio (AIR) for more than three decades. He had joined AIR as a junior script writer. He had contributed immensely to children’s literature.

Chief minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said that the state has lost a great personality.