BENGALURU: Eminent Kannada writer SL Bhyrappa, who brought intellectual probity into novels adding new dimensions to his characters, passed away following cardiac arrest at 2.38pm Wednesday at a hospital in Bengaluru. He was 94.Family sources said Bhyrappa collapsed during his morning walk in Mysuru a couple of months ago. Later, he was brought to a hospital in Rajarajeshwarinagar, Bengaluru, to treat cardiac issues.
His body will be kept at Ravindra Kalakshetra from 8am to 1pm Thursday for the public to pay respects. Final rites will be performed with state honours in Mysuru, the city where he taught philosophy and lived for decades, on Friday.Over six decades, Bhyrappa wrote two dozen novels, including Vamshavruksha, Parva, Naayi Neralu, Gruhabhanga, Mandra and Thabbaliyu Neenade Magane. Despite controversies over ideological leanings, he secured a place alongside giants Shivarama Karanth, Kuvempu and UR Ananthamurthy. His novels, translated into most Indian languages and several European ones, reached readers far beyond Karnataka. Though Jnanpith remained elusive, he received Saraswati Samman, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Bhyrappa was modest about awards, calling them “only symbolic”.Condolences poured in from across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X: “His writings inspired generations to reflect, question and engage more deeply with society. His unwavering passion for our history and culture will continue to inspire minds for years to come.”Bhyrappa was forthright about political views Siddaramaiah said, “The demise of Bhyrappa has left the literary world poorer as he had a huge following and readership for his work.”The writer is survived by wife Saraswathi and sons SB Udayashankar and SB Ravishankar.Born on Aug 20, 1931, in Hassan’s Santheshivara, Bhyrappa’s early life was marked by hardship. He lost his mother and brothers to plague at an early age. He worked as a porter in Mumbai before returning to Mysuru, where he completed a master’s degree in philosophy and went on to teach the subject as a professor.Never hesitant to express his convictions, Bhyrappa criticised the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and often wrote critically about Tipu Sultan. His 2007 novel Aavarana became one of his most controversial works for its focus on religious conversion.He was equally forthright in politics. Before the 2019 general elections, he declared his support for PM Modi: “Modi must win a majority not just in 2019 but also in 2024 and 2029. He should train a person similar to him and then retire.”His ideological rivalry with writer UR Ananthamurthy grew into one of Kannada literature’s defining clashes. URA once criticised Aavarana as “dangerous” as it stands for religious polarisation, while Booker Prize-winning Aravind Adiga remarked in 2013: “Ananthamurthy may be the better writer, but Bhyrappa inspires more affection in those who speak Kannada.”From his first novel Bheemakaaya (1958) to Dharmashri (1961) and beyond, Bhyrappa’s admiration for Hindu culture and tradition remained constant. His books carried a voice that stirred thought, division, reverence and debate – all at once.
