Mysuru: Maintaining that the city’s well-known Book Publisher T.S. Chayapathi very much deserves Rajyotsava Award, renowned poet Padma Shri Prof. K.S. Nisar Ahmed has said that governments must recognise personalities like Chayapathi while announcing State Awards.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 75th birthday celebration of Chayapathi at a function organised by Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat at Hoysala Karnataka Sangha on N.S. Road, Lakshmipuram in city this morning.

Stating that he was very much happy to attend Chayapathi’s felicitation function on his 75th birthday, Prof. Nisar Ahmed wished that the Publisher lives long to celebrate his centenary birthday.

Recalling his 45-year-old association with Chayapathi, Prof. Nisar Ahmed said that there was nothing more than love, affection and trust in life and Chayapathi has maintained all these qualities.

Pointing out that Chayapathi, who comes from a family of renowned writers, has literature running in his blood, the Nadoja poet said that Chayapathi was associated with the likes of top writers like T.S. Venkannaiah, Ta. Su. Shyama Rao and others.

Stating that Chayapathi, who is very well-known for publishing Talukina Venkannaiah Smaraka Grantha Maale, is now planning to hand over the publication to his daughter, Prof. Ahmed said that Chayapathi must remain in touch with the publication and guide it further to the top.

Poet and Playwright Prof. H.N. Venkateshmurthy and former Vice-Chancellor of Sanskrit University Prof. Mallepuram G. Venkatesh delivered the felicitation address.

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader V. Sreenivasa Prasad presided. District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, former President Maddikere Gopal, freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy, writers Jayappa Honnali and Mugur Nanjundaswamy, theatre personality Rajashekar Kadamba, writer B.R. Lakshmana Rao, Prof. N. S. Taranath, industrialist H.N. Ramathirtha and others were present.