Mysuru: The scuffle and skirmishes that took place in opposition to Master Hirannaiah’s statement at a public event in Mysuru five years ago is a black spot in the city’s literary world, said columnist Dr. Gubbigudu Ramesh.

He was speaking at ‘Nudi Namana’ programme organised by city’s Naganava Kala and Sahitya Vedike in memory of the late dramatist Master Hirannaiah, at Namana Kalamantapa in Krishnamurthypuram here on Saturday.

Pointing out that Master Hirannaiah lampooned politicians through his witty dialogues, Dr. Ramesh said that Hirannaiah’s contribution to theatre field   was enormous.

Pointing out that one of Master Hirannaiah’s most famous plays Lanchavatara created a record of sorts in terms of popularity, he said that it is a matter of pride that the great artiste was a Mysurean, who later settled down  in Bengaluru.

Terming the incident that took place five years ago in the city as unfortunate, in which Master Hirannaiah became the centre of attack for his comments, Dr. Ramesh said that the programme organised by Naganava Kala and Sahitya Vedike in Mysuru happened to be Hirannaiah’s last public event as the master stuck to his word of not participating in any event thereafter and added that this unfortunate incident hurt Hirannaiah very much.

BJP leader H.V. Rajeev, in his address, said that Hirannaiah targeted the corrupt in his own style.

Noting that Hirannaiah’s dialogues on corruption and corrupt politicians became very popular among the masses, he said that play Lanchavatara will last long in the memories of the people.

Social worker K. Raghuram said that Master Hirannaiah became a household name through his popular dialogues on corruption.

Pointing out that Hirannaiah opposed Emergency through theatre, he said that although people enjoyed the Master’s dialogues on current politics and corruption, they used to take them seriously as it mattered the society.

Writer Bannur K. Raju said that although Hirannaiah is not physically with us now, his dialogues and achievements will always remain etched in the minds of the people. He further said that the Master’s dialogues were so punching and powerful, that they enlightened the conscience of the viewers.

Journalist Homma Manjunath, Sri Ilai Alwar Swamiji and Corporator M.V. Ramprasad were present.