Bengaluru, January 11: Renowned historian and writer M Chidanadamurthy passed away in the early hours of Saturday at the age of 88.

He died due to prolonged illness at a private hospital in Bengaluru. He breathed his last at around 4:oo am.

Chidanadamurthy was well known for his campaign to preserve Hampi monuments. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Congress leader Siddaramaiah and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy condoled the demise of the scholar.