Belagavi: Renowned jurist, litterateur, philanthropist and former Bharatesh Education Trust chairman Jinadatta Desai died on Sunday. He was 93.His last rites will be performed at Sadashiv Nagar Crematorium in Belagavi at 11am on Nov 2. He is survived by his son, daughter and extended family.Born on April 3,1933 at Amminbhavi in Dharwad district, Desai completed his law degree in Dharwad and began his legal career in 1962. He later served in the judiciary and remained associated with Belagavi district judiciary until retiring in 1991.A distinguished Kannada literary figure, Desai wrote several acclaimed works, including Nilanjana, Matte Bandiddeni, Madhushalini, Olagina Male and Hejje Saalu. He began writing poetry at a young age but set aside literary pursuits during his judicial service.After nearly three decades, he returned to poetry with Matte Bandiddeni, earning widespread recognition. His poems appeared in 18 anthologies, while several scholars pursued doctoral research on his works.Desai was instrumental in establishing Dr AN Upadhye Kannada Adhyayana Kendra under Bharatesh Education Trust. The centre offers postgraduate and doctoral programmes in Kannada and History.His honours included an honorary doctorate from Rani Channamma University, Belagavi, in 2015; Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 2017; Karnataka Sahitya Academi Award in 2021; Akalanka Shree Award in 2022; and Sri Bhagavan Mahaveer Shanti National Award for 2022-23, conferred by Karnataka govt’s department of Kannada and culture.He also served as president of Akhil Bharatiya Jain Sahitya Sammelan at Shravanabelagola in 2018 and supported educational, literary and charitable causes through philanthropic contributions.