Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Kolkata/Bhubaneswar, May 26 :

Popular Odia writer Kanduri Charan Das is no more.

Kanduri Charan Das Kanduri Charan Das

He passed away at his residence in Kolkata early Monday morning, sources said.

He was 85.

Das enjoyed a great following among readers in the state. His detective novels, which were huge hits, had made him a household name in Odisha.

Born on 12 December 1929 at Khadianta village near Pattamundai in Kendrapara district, Das had left his home for Kolkata when he was barely 12.

A self-made man, who fought against all odds in life to become a popular literary figure in Odisha, Das came to limelight as a writer with his very first novel, Dhuli ra Dharani.

Author of over 50 books, most of which were suspense thrillers, Kanduri Babu had also co-authored a novel called the 'Ranganati with his close friend and eminent Odia writer Dr Bibhuti Patnaik.

His detective novels, published by Rajashri Pocket Bookswere runaway hits, made him one of the most popular Odia writers ever.