Kannada writer and publisher, Asha Raghu, aged 46, was discovered dead by suicide at her residence in Malleswaram. She was found hanging in a room, with her family uncovering the incident after receiving no response. Asha, who had been battling depression since her husband’s passing two years ago, leaves behind a daughter. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the unnatural death.
Born on June 18, 1979, Asha Raghu, daughter of Keshava Iyengar and Sulochana, held a postgraduate degree in Kannada from Bangalore University. Initially, she worked as a lecturer and was actively involved in theatre, television, and cinema, contributing as a dialogue writer and assistant director. Transitioning to full-time literary pursuits, she made significant contributions to the book publishing domain for many years.
Asha Raghu was a renowned author of several celebrated novels, including ‘Avarta’, ‘Gata’, ‘Maye’, and ‘Chittaranga’. Her repertoire also featured collections of short stories like ‘Aarane Beralu’, ‘Bogaseyalli Kathegalu’, and ‘Aparoopa Purana Kathegalu’. Additionally, she penned plays such as ‘Choodamani’, ‘Kshamadana’, ‘Bangarada Panjara’, and ‘Pootani and Other Plays’. A critical piece titled ‘Avarta–Manthana’, inspired by her novel ‘Avarta’, was also published.
Throughout her career, Asha Raghu received numerous accolades, including the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Award, the Suryanarayana Chadaga Award, and the Palakala Seetaramabhatta Award from the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. She was also honored with the Rajalakshmi Baraguru Ramachandrappa Award from the Raichur Kannada Sahitya Parishat, the Amma Award, the Triveni Endowment Award from the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, and the title of ‘Sahityamruta Saraswati’ from the Mandya District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, among others. Asha Raghu is remembered for her warmth, talent, and humility.
