THE eighteenth prestigious Dr Hedgewar Prajna Samman will be presented to noted Kannada write Dr S.L. Bhyrappa. The Samman, presented by Shree Burrabazar Kumarsabha Pustakalaya, Kolkata, will be presented at a function to be held in Kolkata on July 1. The Samman consists of cash of Rs 51,000, a citation and a memento.
Born on July 26, 1934 at a very poor family of Santeshivir village in Hasan district of Karnataka, Dr Bhyrappa had his primary education in Channraipattan taluka and later completed his master degree from Mysor. He got doctorate degree from Maharaja Shayajirao University (Baroda). He became a professor in Hubli College in 1958 and serving the Sardar Patel University (Gujarat), NCERT Delhi (1967) and Mysor College (1971), he retired in 1991 and fully dedicated himself to writing. His first novel Dharmashree was published in 1961.
His 21st novel was published this year and it has set new records of popularity. His two novels-Ullanghan and Griabhanga have been translated in 14 languages of India. Dharmashree and Sartha have been translated in Sanskrit also. He has been honouerd with various awards from Central Sahitya Academy, Karnataka Sahitya Academy and by various other organisations. Instituted in 1989 during the birth centenary of Dr Hedgewar the Samman is given to one person every year for his outstanding services to the nation. Last year the award had been given to noted economist Dr Kusumlata Kedia.
