In Kerala, freedom fighter, author and poet Kayyar Kinhanna Rai passed away at his residence in Badiyadkain Kasargod district yesterday. Family sources said, Mr Rai, aged 101, was suffering from various old age related ailments. A recipient of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy award in 1969 and the national award the same year for the best teacher, Mr Rai had penned books on various subjects, including theatre, language, biographies and also for children.