By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The mortal remains of novelist and Saraswati Samman awardee S.L. Bhyrappa was brought to Mysuru on Thursday for the final rites slated to be held on Friday, September 26.
The body of Bhyrappa, who died in Bengaluru on Wednesday, was brought to Kalamandira in the city, where a large number of his admirers and friends paid their last respects.
Among them was former Chief Minister and MP for Haveri Basavaraj Bommai, who said that Bhyrappa had carved a name for himself in the annals of literature and among the literary greats.
Mr. Bommai recalled that when he was the Chief Minister, the writer had met him to seek water for his ancestral village and nothing else. Though Bhyrappa won many awards, he remained grounded and down to earth, and added lustre to the awards and honours conferred on him, said Mr. Bommai.
Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa offered his last respects and said that the death of Bhyrappa has created a vacuum in the world of literature. He said that the novels of Bhyrappa were based on real-life experiences and added that through the depth of his writings, he stirred the society.
The Minister said that Bhyrappa’s last rites will be performed with full State-honours, and a decision on a memorial for the writer will be taken after consulting his family members.
Similar views were expressed by A.H. Vishwanath, MLC, who said that Bhyrappa was a giant in the world of Kananda literature and regretted that such a writer was not conferred the Jnanapeetha award. He said one does not know whether it apathy of politics but Bhyrappa’s name will linger on forever.
Pratap Simha, former MP, said that the body of Bhyrappa will be taken to his Kuvempunagar residence for sometime to allow the public to pay their tributes before the last rites are held.
