Prominent Indian writer dead

A prominent Indian writer, Dr Shivaram Karanth, has died in the southern Indian town of Bangalore.

He was ninety-five, and died after suffering a heart attack.

Shivaram Karanth started his literary career in 1924 with a collection of poems.

In 1978, Dr Karanth won the highest literary award in India for his philosophical critique of traditional beliefs, 'Mookajjiya Kanasugalu'.

He also wrote more than forty novels and plays, most of which highlighted social themes.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service