Bengaluru, May 13: Renowned sculptor Kanaka Murthy died of COVID-19 at a private hospital here, her family sources said on Thursday.

Kanaka Murthy, 79, had developed COVID symptoms a few days ago and was under home quarantine.

However, her condition worsened and she was rushed to the hospital where she breathed her last.

She leaves her husband Narayana Murthy and daughter Sumathi, the sources said.

Murthy, born to Brahmin parents from Gadag, carved a niche for herself in a field dominated by men.

A visit to a temple in Mysuru made her choose a career in sculpting and thus, hammer and chisel became her friends forever.

Mourning her death, Kannada Development Authority Chairman T S Nagabharana said Kanaka Murthy had to face opposition for taking sculpting as a career but her commitment to her passion led her to her Guru, Vadiraj, who shaped her as a renowned sculptor.

The statues of Kannada litterateur Kuvempu near Lalbagh in Bengaluru, Wright Brothers outside Visvesvaraya Museum in the city, Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi and K M Munshi stand testimony to her great work and finesse, he added.

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Koppal: Tension prevailed in Halwarti village of Koppal taluk after a clash reportedly broke out between members of Dalit and upper-caste communities over the hoisting of an Ambedkar flag during the Beeralingeshwara fair.

According to police, a verbal argument between youths from the two communities escalated into a physical confrontation, leading to unrest in the village.

In a related development, it has been alleged that members of the upper-caste community entered the house of a Dalit youth, identified as Gavisiddappa Hosamani, damaged the door and vandalised the front portion of the house.

As a precautionary measure, additional police personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order.

Police said a complaint has been registered at the Koppal Rural Police Station and five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident. Further investigation is under way.