S.L. Bhyrappa with historian Ramachandra Guha at the Mysuru Literary Festival in 2017.
| Photo Credit: M.A. SRIRAM
S.L. Bhyrappa, who had a complex relationship with fellow-writers espousing views antithetical to his opinions, never hesitated to speak out on issues over which he felt strongly.
Though he was invited by the BJP government to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara in 2019, he made it a point to criticise the government for its efforts to convert Chamundi Hills to a tourist centre. He wanted it to remain a “spiritual destination” and took part in a campaign to oppose the ropeway project.
In Mysuru, where he often spoke at literary gatherings, Bhyrappa would lace his speeches with anecdotes from his turbulent childhood.
‘Pure literature’
In many of the literary conferences and seminars in Mysuru, the writer would often scoff at some of the modern writers on the grounds that they were not grounded in philosophy.
He often stated that his strong foundation in philosophy, arts, and aesthetics had helped him withstand fiery criticism.
He had also stated many times that his novels espoused “pure literature” as he did not believe in various strands of literary activism. In his own words, “activist-kind of writing” had no lasting value unlike “pure literature.” But he did admit at another point of time that the concerns in society inevitably confronted him, and his novels became a medium to reflect on them.
At a literary conference held in his honour in Mysuru in 2019, he had said that a sound grounding in local culture, tradition, and philosophy lends a solid foundation to literature.
Love at first sight
In Bhitti, his autobiography, Bhyrappa has described his first encounter with Mysuru as “love at first sight.” The wide, tree-lined avenues, parks and lawns, majestic buildings, and the horse-drawn carriages captivated the young man. Unlike other towns he had passed through, Mysuru felt like home, writes Bhyrappa.
Settling into the city was not without hardship and Bhyrappa writes about renting a small room in Chamundipuram and how he also lived at Anathalaya, the orphanage near Shanthala theatre.
But soon enough, he found his footing, joined Sharada Vilas High School for preliminary education, enrolled for BA (Hons) in Philosophy at Maharaja’s College and went on to win a gold medal, pursuing his education with determination that belied his circumstances.
He was also awarded the honorary doctorate by the University of Mysore in 2015.
When he was conferred the Padma Shri in 2016, the actual presentation took place at his Mysuru residence in Kuvempunagar.
Published – September 24, 2025 07:47 pm IST
