Former mayor G Narayana passes away

BANGALORE: Former Bangalore mayor and former president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat G Narayana passed away on Sunday due to a heart attack.Born in Deshahalli, Mandya district in 1923, Narayana (88) joined the independence movement before becoming the Mayor of Bangalore in 1964. He, alongwith former mayor V S Krishna Iyer, were instrumental in bringing Cauvery water to Bangalore and increased the efficiency of the corporation by distributing various works related information amongst public.He then went on to become the president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat in 1969 where he was instrumental in getting recognition for Janapada art via a study of culture forms which was published as a book titled Karnataka Janapada Kalegalu. Nallur Prasad, president of the parishat said that the state had lost an important figure in Kannada culture. He worked for the cause of Kannada all his life,” he added.Narayana was also well known and respected for his magazine Vinoda which he started in 1951 and retained the editorship for 55 years. He received the Rajyotsava award in 1971 for his contributions to Kannada culture. His body will be kept at the Kannada Sahitya Parishat premises for an hour from 09:00 am to 10:00 am on Monday for the public to pay their last respects, a BBMP official said. BBMP offices will remain closed on Monday.