Mysuru: The first edition of ‘S.L. Bhyrappa Sahityotsava-2019’ will be inaugurated at Kalamandira here tomorrow.

This literary meet is organised by S. L. Bhyrappa Sahitya Pratishtana on Jan.19 and 20 as a tribute to the city’s living legend Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, who is one of India’s foremost Kannada                           litterateurs.

Dr. Chandrashekara Kambara, President, Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpith awardee, will inaugurate the Literary Meet tomorrow at 9.30 am.

Prof. Pradhan Gurudatta, author and linguist, will release the book, Chinthana-Manthana, a book on compilation of interviews with Dr. Bhyrappa on his works, philosophy, nationalism and nuances of literature.

Schedule of events

Jan. 19 – 9.30 am to 5 pm: Eminent personalities including Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh, author and poet; Shefali Vaidya, writer and columnist from Pune; P. Sheshadri, film director and Prof. M. Krishne Gowda, humorist, will deliver lectures on topics related to Dr. Bhyrappa’s novels.

Apart from Shefali Vaidya’s interview with Dr. Bhyrappa, his documentary will be screened.

5.15 pm: Pandit Nagaraja Rao Havaldar, well-known Hindustani classical vocalist, will render ragas of Mandra, authored by Dr. Bhyrappa.

6.30 pm: Kalagangotri-Bengaluru will stage the Kannada play ‘Mandra,’ directed by Dr. B.V. Rajaram, well-known theatre director.

Jan. 20 – 10 am to 1.30 pm: Gangavathi Pranesh, humorist and Dr. Nand Kishore Acharya, author  from Bikaner, Rajasthan, will deliver talks.

An interaction with Dr. Bhyrappa will be held at 12.15 pm.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Dr. G. L. Shekar, Hon. Secretary of the Pratishtana, said that though the number of delegates for the Sahityotsava was initially restricted to 500 members, there was an overwhelming response by the admirers of Dr. Bhyrappa’s works. About 800 persons have registered for this unique literary meet from different parts of the State. There are some participants from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh as well.

Further, Dr. Shekar said that interestingly youngsters, most of them from software companies from Bengaluru and Mysuru, and professionals including medical doctors and lawyers are also attending the two-day meet.

S.L. Bhyrappa Sahitya Abhimanigala Koota, a Facebook initiative of Shashank Parashar and Anuradha, both literary activists, has over 20,000 members spread all over the world.