Ravi Belagere

Ravi Belagere (15 March 1958 – 13 November 2020) was an Indian writer and journalist based in Bangalore, Karnataka. He was the editor of the Kannada-language tabloid Hai Bangalore and fortnightly magazine O Manase. He founded Bhavana Prakashana, Prarthana School and Bhavana Audio Reach.

Personal life Early life Belagere was born on 15 March 1958 at Sathyanarayanapete, in Bellary. He studied his high school education from Siddhaganga High School, Tumkur for couple of years and he failed in SSLC. He was an ardent fan of Khushwant Singh and he said he was attracted to leftist ideology and he had no political leanings. After coming to Bengaluru, he started his own newspaper Hai Bangalore on September 25, 1995 along with R. T. Vittalamurthy, Ra. Somanath, Jogi and I. H. Sangam Dev After this success, he started a magazine O Manase which focused on difficulties and troubles of young people. Later, he produced several TV programs and acted in some movies.

Literary works Year Title 1980 Daari (Collection of Stories) 1983 1984 1990 Arti (Novel) 1991 1995 1996 Mandovi (Novel) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Lavalavike Part 2 2005 2006 Bottom Item Part 3 (Collection of Articles) 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2016 2019 Siddharth Aa Mukha ( Non fiction )

Media works He was the producer He has acted in movies like Ganda Hendathi, Madesha and Vaarasdhara and also he has played the role of a judge in Muktha Muktha serial

Awards and honours Award Work and Year First Prize in Masti Story Competition Vandya –1990 Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award Shivarama Karantha Award Nee Hinga Nodabyada Nanna (novel)–2004 Computer Excellency award from Central Government (for his school) 2005 Karnataka Media Academy Award for Lifetime achievement 2008 Rajyothsava award 2010 Kempegowda Award 2011

Controversies In December 2017, Ravi Belagere was accused of contracting the killing of his former colleague and journalist Sunil Heggaravalli. It was alleged that he had paid Rs 15,000 as advance to the contract killers and also provided them with a country-made gun to kill his fellow journalist. He was arrested by the Bangalore Central Crime Branch under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and sections under the Arms Act. The officials seized a revolver and 53 bullets, a double barrel gun and 41 bullets from his Bengaluru residence. He spent many days at the Parappana Agrahara central jail in connection with the case.

He wrote a controversial article on the actor Rupini which invited strong criticism.

He had a spat with the producers of the movies such as Bheema Theeradalli and Om (Kannada film) over alleged copyright infringement of his works.

Death Ravi died at 2:30 AM on 13 November 2020 due to heart attack in Bangalore. He was 62.