Bengaluru: Noted historian and champion of the Kannada language P Chidananda Murthy, aged 88, passed away at a Bengaluru hospital today (January 11) owing to age-related illness. 

The Prime Minister too joined the nation in extending his condolences. In his tweet, he said, “Dr M Chidananda Murthy was a doyen of culture and literature. His passion towards Kannada language was noteworthy and so were his efforts to preserve unique aspects of our rich history. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti: PM” 
@narendramodi

 

Chief minister BS Yediyurappa also tweeted his condolences. 

“He was a thinker, researcher and historian who always worked for the interest of Kannada. His place in history is unique and irreplaceable. His role in protecting the monuments of Hampi and in Kannada getting a classical language status is memorable,” Yediyurappa tweeted.

 

The noted Kannada personality also played a pivotal role in Kannada getting the classical language status and also in the preservation of the monuments in Hampi. 
His contributions did not limit themselves to literature.  He was a key advocate in influencing the government to enact an anti-conversion law and also made no bones about the need for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). 

It was under his persistence that chief minister B S Yediyurappa renamed Hyderabad Karnataka — a group of six districts formerly under the administration of Nizam of Hyderabad — as Kalyana Karnataka, as reported by The Hindu. 

Chidananda Murthy’s career: 

He was the head of the department of Kannada in Bangalore University. He was also associated with Kannada Shakti Kendra. As a historian most of Murthy's work has focused on scientific study of the Kannada Inscriptions. He had attempted to contextualise inscriptions in their socio-cultural setup. He had produced many books on the history of Kannada language and Karnataka. He had guided many research students.