Mysuru: “I accidentally came across a picture of a deer which inspired me to come out with my novel ‘Uttarakhanda’, revealed noted novelist Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa.

He was delivering the valedictory address at the seminar on ‘Uttarakhanda’ organised by Priyadarshana Samskruthika Vedike, Srirangapatna, at Sarada Vilas College Centenary Hall in Krishnamurthypuram here yesterday.

Explaining the incident, Bhyrappa said: “Six-years-ago when I was on a tour of England, I was staying at a B and B (Bed and Breakfast) facility where in my room was a very beautiful picture of a deer on which I had expressed appreciation with the owner of the B and B. While vacating, the owner handed over the picture neatly packed to me as a gift. On return to Mysuru, I hung that picture on the wall of my house. One day while gazing at the picture, I recalled the incident in Ramayana where Seeta was attracted towards a deer which she desired stubbornly. I wondered how Seeta could be so childish. I thought Seeta was probably craving to have a baby and seeing the fawn (baby deer), she could have desired to fondle that. I wove the story of ‘Uttarakhanda’ later.”

Bhyrappa opined that Vedas were the foundation for spirituality and added that Valmiki wrote Ramayana to make people realise the meaning and importance of Vedas. He asserted that the epics should be viewed and understood with due regard for the benefits and customs prevalent in that era.

Wrong allegations go unpunished: Dr. Bhyrappa opined that people who level wrong allegations go unpunished in our country. He said that the rumours floated among people made Rama to desert Seeta in Ramayana. He added that rumours cannot be doused and hence snowballs easily.

He recalled that former Prime Minister late Morarji Desai had to step down as wrong allegations against the PM’s son were hyped through the Media.

Referring to the Rafale deal, Dr. Bhyrappa said that AICC President Rahul Gandhi was accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of joining hands with Reliance Group and looting crores of rupees in the deal. He added that wrong allegations were forcing good administrators to step down. Similarly, he recalled that ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan too was harassed unduly through wrong allegations.