Eminent Telugu writer and Gyanpeeth award recipient, Dr Ravuri Bharadwaja passed away in Hyderabad on Friday night. He was 89. He was ailing for some time and was on ventilator in a private hospital in the city. He felt sick after returning from Delhi, a week ago where he received Gyanpeeth award for his well known Telugu novel, Paakudu Raallu, which reflected real life behind the silver screen of the film industry.

Despite having little formal education, Bharadwaja went on to pen several critically acclaimed books, which won prestigious awards. He also worked in All India Radio for more than three decades. Having written in every literary form, he published more than hundred works. His contribution towards children's literature and simple way of writing earned a lot of popularity among book lovers.Expressing grief over Bharadwaja's death, Chief Minister
N Kiran Kumar Reddy said the state has lost a great Litterateur.