Writer S L Bhyrappa to be laid to rest today in Mysuru

Mysuru

The mortal remains of S.L. Bhyrappa arrived in Mysuru  on Thursday, kept  at  Kalamandira premises, where the District Administration has made arrangements for the final homage.Tension  prevailed for  some time at Kalamandir when his body was brought from Bengaluru  as one of his  fans named Phaneesh displayed the will written by the writer  S L Bhyrappa that his both sons Ravishankar and Udayashankar should not perform his last rites.

Public paid last respects at Kalamandira till 6.30 pm after which  his mortal remains were shifted for JSS Hospital cold storage at JSS Crematorium. His body will also be kept at his residence for some at Kuvempunagar to pay homage on Friday.   .

Cremation will be held tomorrow after 8.30am  at the Rudrabhoomi located at the foothills of Chamundi Hill. Union Minister Prahlad Joshi,Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy  and others are expected to take  part.

District In-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa paid his last respects to S.L. Bhyrappa said that  the  demise of S.L. Bhyrappa is an irreparable loss to the literary world. His novels and writings changed the direction of reading for the younger generation. His works shook the very roots of society. He wrote about the realities of society, and his writings were always close to real life. Rising from extreme poverty, he understood that pain deeply. He  also worked tirelessly to bring the younger generation to the forefront.

The Chief Minister has announced that the Karnataka Government will conduct the last rites with full state honours. He has also announced the construction of a memorial for Bhyrappa in Mysuru

Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said “Bhyrappa was a dynamic and influential figure in the literary world. The writer has now left us, but his legacy endures. He always kept himself aside, reflecting deeply and analyzing his own thoughts. He was a personality who created literature grounded in both intellect and reality—a combination that is exceedingly rare. He viewed life through the lens of truth, and no matter how high he rose, he never forgot his roots. When I became Chief Minister, I never sought awards or recognition from him. Instead, he requested that water be provided to our village, and we ensured that was done. He had immense love for farmers, his village, and its lakes”. 

 H. Vishwanath, after paying his last respects to S.L. Bhyrappa, said that he was a towering figure in the literary world of Karnataka. He added that Bhyrappa was someone who connected with people of all age groups with meaning and purpose. It was unfortunate, he said, that such a writer did not receive honours like the Jnanpith or Rajyotsava Award. He remarked that whether it was due to government neglect or politics, it should not have happened, and called it an insult to the literary world caused by politicians. He also recalled that he had once criticized Bhyrappa and had even gone to his house to speak about it
Minister Venkatesh, MLA Srivatsa, former MP Pratap Simha, and others paid respects.