India, Sept. 24 -- S L Bhyrappa, one of India's most influential and widely read Kannada novelists, whose works blended history, philosophy, and social commentary, died on Tuesday in Bengaluru. He was 94.

He had been receiving treatment for age-related complications for several months at Jayadev Memorial Rashtrotthana Hospital and Research Centre. The hospital confirmed that he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at 2.38 p.m.

Over his career, Bhyrappa received some of India's highest honours. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015, the Padma Shri in 2016, and the Padma Bhushan in 2023. In 2010, he was presented the Saraswati Samman for his novel Mandra (2001).

The novelist had faced health complications since collapsing...