Well-known writer Na. D’Souza passes away

Well-known novelist Na. D’Souza, a voice for the people of Malnad region, died in Mangaluru on Sunday. He was 87.

Well-known novelist Na. D’Souza, a voice for the people of Malnad region, died in Mangaluru on Sunday. He was 87.

Mr. D’Souza, a resident of Sagar in Shivamogga district, was admitted to Father Muller Hospital in Mangaluru for treatment. He had been suffering from old age related health issues for the past few days. The writer died around 8 p.m., according to family sources in Sagar. 

He is survived by wife, Philomena, and three children.

The mortal remains of the writer will be brought to Sagar on Monday, and the final rites will be held later in the day.

Mr. D’Souza was born in Sagar in 1937. He studied in Shivamogga and joined the Department of Public Works as a typist in 1959.

His literary career spanned over 60 years. He chose subjects for his novels from the world around him. As an employee with the Public Works Department, he understood the problems of the people who were affected by the Sharavathi Valley Hydel Power Project, and wrote the novel Mulugade.

Similarly, he responded to the Kagodu Satyagraha in favour tenant farmers, through another novel Kolaga. Besides creative writing, he was actively involved in agitations concerning people of Malnad. He took the lead in protesting the State government’s proposal to divert the Sharavathi to fulfil the drinking water needs of Bengalureans in 2019.