Mysore/Mysuru: Kalaburagi-based Central University of Karnataka (CUK) honoured acclaimed Kannada Novelist and Saraswathi Samman awardee Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa with Honorary Doctorate at the veteran Novelist’s residence in Kuvempunagar here yesterday.

CUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. H.M. Maheshwaraiah, Dean of Humanities Prof. Basavaraj Donur, Kannada Department Head Prof. Vikram Visaji, Classical Kannada Centre Head Prof. B. B. Pujari, the University’s Assistant Registrar Azim Pasha and others visited the writer’s residence and honoured him.

The Hon. Doctorate to Dr. Bhyrappa was announced at the recently concluded 5th Annual Convocation of CUK held in the University campus near Kalaburagi. But Dr. Bhyrappa could not attend the event, which was kept low-profile owing to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Dr. Bhyrappa said that Western literature is not a role model for his novels. Pointing out that great Indian epics — Ramayana and Mahabharatha — are the models for his novels, he asserted that the roots of his literature are in Indian culture.

CUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. Maheshwaraiah, in his address, highlighted the achievements made by the University on the Academic and Research front.

On the occasion, Dr. Bhyrappa released Belari, Betta Kuruba, Sanketi, Erava, Arebhashe and Pattegara books brought out by the Centre for Studies in Endangered Languages; ‘A Hand Book of Kannada Prosody’ authored by former KSOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.A.Viveka Rai and brought out by the Centre for Classical Studies in Kannada and Linguist Dr. Rajeshwari Maheshwaraiah’s  Kannada work titled ‘Karnataka Collegina Pracharyaraagi.’

Dr. G.L. Shekar of S.L. Bhyrappa Sahitya Pratishtana, Mysuru, was present.

CUK also conferred Honorary Doctorate to well-known Environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka on Saturday. VC Prof. Maheshwaraiah visited her residence at Nelamangala in Bengaluru and handed over the Honorary Doctorate to the 108-year-old. Speaking on the occasion, Thimmakka humbly stated that she is honoured to receive an Honorary Doctorate, which is usually given to recognise someone’s significant contributions to a specific area such as great scientists, engineers, littérateurs and research scholars. She advised everyone to plant trees.