Mysuru: Writer Channaveera Kanavi has been selected by the state government to inaugurate the 11-day Dasara festivities in Mysuru on October 1.

It is said that CM Siddaramaiah spoke to Kanavi over the phone on Saturday requesting him to inaugurate the festival and the writer had accepted the same. The high-powered committee had shortlisted the names of writers Kanavi, S L Bhyrappa and Nissar Ahmed, freedom fighter H S Doreswamy, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Suttur seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swami.

Born on June 28, 1928 at Hombal in Gadag district, Kanavi completed his high school and college education in Dharwad, and obtained MA from Karnatak University in 1952. He began his career as a secretary at Prasaranga in Karnatak University, Dharwad.

His important anthologies include Hombelaku, Akasha Butti, Madhuchandra, Mannina Meravanige, Nela Mugilu, Eradu Dada, Kaavyanusandhana, and Madhurachanna.

He received the Sahitya Akademi award in 1981 for Jeeva Dhwani, and awards including the Rajyostava, Pampa, Nadoja and Karnataka Kaviratna.

He had chaired the Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at Hassan in 1996.