India, Sept. 24 -- Popular Kannada novelist and philosopher SL Bhyrappa died at the age of 94 on Wednesday after suffering cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Bengaluru.

Rashtrotthana Hospital issued a statement and said, "The legendary Indian novelist, philosopher, Padma Shri, Padmabhushana and Saraswathi Samman awardee Shri S L Bhyrappa suffered a cardiac arrest today at 2.38 pm and reached the lotus feet of the Almighty. Om Shanti!!!"

Known for his popular novels 'Vamshavriksha, Daatu, Parva, Mandara', among others, Bhyrappa has received several accolades.

He was a recipient of Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Saraswati Samman, Sahitya Akademi Awards, among others.

Bhyrappa's works, like 'Naayi-Neralu', 'Matadana', 'Vamshavriksha', '...