Mysuru: Renowned Kannada Novelist, Professor of Philosophy (Retd.) and Saraswati Samman awardee Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, in a brilliant exposition of connecting philosophy and literature, questions about death and his own journey of life, had the packed hall spellbound for more than an hour.

He began his talk by telling that he would not give an intellectual lecture on the subject of Philosophy but instead share with audience the reason for him choosing Philosophy as a subject and the tributes he needed to pay on the occasion to the many who guided him as teachers and friends.

Dr. Bhyrappa, 86, was speaking after inaugurating the three-day Centenary Celebrations of the Department of Studies in Philosophy, on the topic “Hundred Years of Philosophy in Mysore University – An Overview,” organised by the Department and sponsored by University with Potential of Excellence, University of Mysore, at the Educational Multi-Media Research Centre (EMRC), Manasagangothri, here this morning.

Taking the gathering through the 86 years of his journey, Dr. Bhyrappa began by recalling how he lost his elder brother and elder sister due to plague and two years later his mother. “My mother used to appear in my dreams in a white saree and when I was about to touch her, she would disappear. This dream haunted me for two years. Then my brother who was just five years old died and I was 15 then. I cycled 16 miles carried his body on my shoulder and cremated him. I lost my younger sister also,” he said.

University of Mysore In-Charge VC Prof. C. Basavaraju also spoke. Earlier, Prof. V. N. Sheshagiri Rao,Visiting Professor, Swami Vivekananda Chair, DoS in Philosophy, welcomed. UPE Director Prof.G. Hemanth Kumar, Chairman of the Department Dr. S. Venkatesh were also present.      

[Detailed report tomorrow]