Mysuru, Oct. 15 (SPN&BS)- Rich tributes were paid to Padma Bhushan novelist Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa, who passed away recently, at the auditorium of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Mysuru district unit, at Vijayanagar in city yesterday.

Mysuru district unit of the Parishat had organised the condolence programme in association with Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha, Vijayanagar Kshemabhivrudhi Sangha and Mysuru Ladies Association, during which, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Dr. Bhyrappa, in the august presence of writers Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar (CPK) and Dr. Pradhan Gurudatta.

In his address, CPK described Dr. Bhyrappa as a writer who has produced over 25 best novels, which are all-time relevant. It won’t be wrong to laud Bhyrappa as a finest novelist for his popular novels. In his writings, Dr. Bhyrappa maintained a balance between both popularity and thoughts. Beginning with his maiden novel ‘Dharmashree’ and to his latest work, all of Dr. Bhyrappa’s novels were popular among the readers. “Several literary critics had dubbed Bhyrappa, as a misogynist, but in reality, women were more among his readers,” added CPK.

Dr. Pradhan Gurudatta said, the plot of Dr. Bhyrappa’s novels stemmed from extensive research, as the latter laid more emphasis on field study. Hence, each of his novels were unusually characteristic, namely Bheemakaya, Parva, Matadhana, Tabbali Neenade Magane and Nayi Neralu.

Poetess Dr. Latha Rajashekar said that Dr. Bhyrappa had created a sensation in literature and was adored by readers irrespective of their stature.

Dr. Padma Shekar, former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka State Sanskrit University, called the novel ‘Tabbali Neenade Magane,’ written by Dr. Bhyrappa as her favourite.

Kannada Sahitya Parisha Mysuru President Maddikere Gopal, social activist Raghuram Vajpayee, farmer leader Prof. Basavaraj, former Kannada Sahitya Parisha Mysuru President M. Chandrashekar, former Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL) Chairperson Mallige Veeresh and others were present.