Padmashree Shri SL Bhyrappa was felicitated with lifetime achievement award at the Mangaluru Lit Fest on November 3. Present on the dais with SL Bhyrappa were Shri. Vinaya Hegde, Chairman if Nitte Institutions and renowned orator Shri. Chakravarti Sulibele. A news-based app ‘Right Now’ was launched by SL Bhyrappa on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion to felicitate SL Bhyrappa, Chakravarti Sulibele said that Mangaluru Lit Fest is a representation of intellectual kshatriyas coming together. We live in times where any symbol of national pride is questioned by many. Statues of icons are questioned by saying that they could have been used for alleviating poverty or other developmental projects. The same people don’t question huge scams, hundreds of acres used for cemeteries of a single family isn’t questioned by then either. These are the times when intellectual kshatriyas are more than prevalent today. Deliberating on Idea of Bharat is much needed today.
SL Bhyrappa is a doyen of Indian literature and not just Kannada literature. He is known among the readers of other languages. His works are anticipated much earlier than they are printed, and this is an unmatched feat for any literature in contemporary India. Bhyrappa is unique and does not fall into any category. He has the capacity to bring out the emotions of a character that is thousands of years old in his works. His travails that he underwent brought out the literature in him. His works are closest to the Idea of Bharat as they contain the essence of Indian philosophy in them. The literature he has created will be relevant not only for the current generation but several generations later too. That is the power of his words and works. Literature used for propaganda is not literature at all. Literature is one that brings out our emotions like SL Bhyrappa’s works. It requires a lot of courage to write the truth, and that courage is inherent in SL Bhyrappa and his works. His work ‘Avarana’ brought out many historical truths that was seen as uncomfortable in many circles. When he was part of a committee to decide on history books, where he questioned the need to hide uncomfortable truths from our history. Consequently, he was removed from the committee and was replaced by a convenient person. But he stood his ground and his works and speeches reflect historical truths. Even at 86, he is as concerned about the nation as always. We have learnt a lot about everything from him and his works. Felicitation of SL Bhyrappa is actually a felicitation of ourselves for whatever we have learnt from him. I thank Mangalurians for this and that too while the idea of Bharat is deliberated is truly apt.
Later SL Bhyrappa was felicitated with the Life Time achievement award by Shri. Vinaya Hegde and many other speakers who were part of the Mangaluru Lit Fest. A traditional shawl and peta were offered to the doyen of Indian literature. All the speakers at the fest were also on the dais when he was felicitated to a standing ovation.
Shri SL Bhyrappa spoke after his felicitation and thanked everyone for the love showered on him during the occasion. Speaking on the lit fest theme Idea of Bharat he said it cannot be expressed in few words or events. It has been reflected in my works. I always had the urge to witness the real Idea of Bharat during my stay and work at several places in India. I preferred to stay in villages which gave me an opportunity to interact with the villagers there. Consequently, these interactions made me understand that every village in India had similar lifestyles and there was hardly any difference. My reading of PV Kane’s ‘History of Dharmashashtra’ allowed me to understand our ancient texts better and I was able to write ‘Vamsha Vruksha’. When I was travelling across the Himalayas I understood that our society has many unique traditions based on puranic stories which became a model for our people. But many of our traditions especially those related to marriage can be misinterpreted today and few practices can result in #MeToo claims later he quipped. My works depict entire Bharat and while some are blatant, few have glimpses of different places and their cultures. This is because the idea of Bharat is inherent in me which reflects in my work. But today a culture of indifference to different regions and languages are being cultivated.
Traditionally we have always celebrated the entire land of Bharat. We should become more accommodative and not mean with our concerns. Despite all our faults, we are one nation. Every item I return to Indin from abroad, I get the feeling of returning to my motherland. My works have got the strengths and importance they have due to my study of our ‘tatva shahstras’. Literature today lacks content due to the neglect of our ‘tatva shashtras’. ‘Navya’ literature came up with authors who became critics too and stood against me and vowed to even vanquish me. Existentialism was their forte due to the influence of the western philosophy. Despite their attacks, I stood my ground, being rooted in our ancient texts and I continued with my writings. I never think of what people or readers opine as I only worry if the truth is reflected in my works as it is supposed to be. That which is relevant for ages and also has ‘rasa’ in it is the basis of my work. This is because literature and music are closely related and it also provides me with a confirmation of my work, which is why I also write. I am indebted to the love and respect showered on me today. The literature I write is a continuation of Bharateeya literature. Deliberations on Idea of Bharat here is most ideal and appropriate, and I fully endorse it. Am sure these deliberations will give rise to more literature and I myself may be inspired to write further.
The felicitation event ended with Shri SL Bhyrappa donating his award money to the Kalladka School, whose donations from the Kolluru temple was stopped by the Siddaramaiah government in 2016 and had drawn a lot of flak from all quarters. Shri SL Bhyrappa received a full 5-minute standing ovation for his selfless gesture.
