S. L. Bhyrappa
S.L. Bhyrappa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Santeshivar Lingannaiah Bhyrappa August 20, 1931 Santeshivara, Hassan district, Karnataka, India |
| Occupation | Writer, Novelist, Professor |
| Nationality | India |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Website | |
| http://www.slbhyrappa.com/ | |
Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa (Kannada: ಸಂತೇಶಿವರ ಲಿಂಗಣ್ಣಯ್ಯ ಭೈರಪ್ಪ) (born August 20, 1931), is a Kannada novelist, whose works are immensely popular both within and beyond Karnataka.[1] Bhyrappa is widely regarded as one of India's foremost modern-day writers.[2] His novels are unique in terms of theme, structure, and characterization.[3] He has been among the top selling authors of Kannada, Hindi and Marathi for the past several years.[4] Most of his works reveal the theme of Advaita vedanta and search of truth. Although S. L. Bhyrappa participated in the freedom struggle of Indian Independence at an early age, he believes that Indian Independence was just a political freedom from British rule, and the real Independence is the intellectual freedom which is nurtured by the strong foundations laid in the teachings of rich Indian culture and values. He has been awarded with the 20th Saraswati Samman for 2010.
Bhyrappa's works do not fit into any specific genre of contemporary Kannada literature such as Navodaya, Navya, Bandaya, or Dalita partly because of the range of topics they deal with. His major works have been the centre of several heated public debates and controversies.[1]
Biography
Early life
Bhyrappa was born in a Hoysala Karnataka Brahmin family at Santeshivara, a remote village in Channarayapatna taluk of Hassan district, about 200 km from Bangalore. He lost his mother to Bubonic plague early in childhood and took on odd jobs to pay for his education. His childhood influences include the Kannada literature Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar; Bhyrappa briefly participated in the Indian freedom struggle when he was aged 13.
Bhyrappa completed his primary education in Channarayapatna taluk before moving to Mysore where he completed the rest of his education. His autobiography, Bhitti (Wall) records a break in his high school education. Bhyrappa impulsively quit school, following his cousin's advice and wandered for a year with him. His sojourn led him to Mumbai, where he worked as a railway porter. In Mumbai he met a group of sadhus and joined them to seek spiritual solace. He wandered with them for a few months before returning to Mysore to resume his education.
Education
- High School - Navodaya High School (now), Channaraya Pattana, Sharada Vilas High School, Mysore
- B.A (Hons) - Philosophy (Major), Mysore University
- M.A - Philosophy, awarded the gold medal by Mysore University
- Doctor of Philosophy - Satya mattu Soundarya (Truth and Beauty) written in English, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
Career
S L Bhyrappa was a lecturer of Philosophy at Sri Kadasiddheshwar college, Hubli, Sardar Patel University of Gujarat, NCERT Delhi, and the Regional College of Education, Mysore from where he retired in 1991.
Bhyrappa has two sons, and lives with his wife in Mysore.
Works
Bhyrappa has produced several popular novels. Some of his early novels were also critically acclaimed. Starting with Dharmashree, first published in 1961, Bhyrappa has authored twenty novels in a career spanning four decades. His major novels have generated public discussions and debates.
Vamshavruksha, Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Matadana and Nayi Neralu have been made into films and have bagged major awards. Vamshavruksha has received Kannada Sahitya Academy Award in 1966 and Daatu (Crossing Over) has received both Kannada and Kendra Sahitya Academy awards in 1975.[5] Parva has been the most discussed and applauded among all of his novels. It narrates the social structure, values and the mystery of mortality in the epoch of Mahabharata very effectively. Bhyrappa reconstructed Mahabharatha from sociological and anthropological angle, through metaphors in this novel.[6]
In addition to novels, Bhyrappa has written tomes pertaining to literature and philosophy such as ' Satya mattu saundarya ' ( Truth and beauty ), Sahitya mattu prateeka, Kate mattu katavastu and Naneke bareyuttene?.
Popularity
Bhyrappas novels have been translated into most Indian languages and English.[2] Bhyrappa has been the top selling author in Kannada for past 25 years and past 8 years in Marathi. He has also been among the top five best selling authors in Hindi.[4]
Most of his novels have been reprinted several times. His latest novels Aavarana & Kavalu was sold out even before its release. The novel went on to create a record in Indian literary world by witnessing 10 reprints within five months of its release.[7]
All his novels are published by Saahitya Bhandaara located in "Balepet" Bangalore.
Controversies
Bhyrappa was the center of controversies in certain quarters because of his selection of themes and also because of his stands.[1] Most of Bhyrappa's prominent novels (Vamshavruksha, Tabbaliyu Neenaade Magane, Parva, and Saartha) have strong roots in ancient Indian philosophical tradition, a fact which invited severe criticism initially from the Navya writers and from others later.
Bhyrappa supported N. R. Narayana Murthy when the latter was criticized by media and public regarding the controversy concerning playing instrumental version of national anthem. He also backed N. R. Narayana Murthy regarding Kaveri issue saying riots and protests are not going to solve the issue.[8]
Bhyrappa had a debate with Girish Karnad in Vijaya Karnataka regarding religious tolerance of Tippu Sultan. In Bhyrappa’s novel Aavarana, he had accused Tippu Sultan as a religious fanatic who wouldn't stand Hindus in his court. Bhyrappa had substantiated the argument based on the facts pointing to several historic references written in India during Tippu’s rule. One of the references was the usage of Urdu word ‘bin’ which is used to refer a person as a ‘son of’ in Government of Karnataka office’s even today. The source of the word had originated during the Tippu Sultans rule, which was one of the several methods used to influence Islamic rules on Hindus. There are numerous instances in his book, which stated various methods used by Tippu Sultan to convert Hindus to Islam, each of these instances clearly given with a sound historic reference in the book. This was criticized by Girish Karnad, who had glorified Tippu in his plays. Bhyrappa accused Karnad of being untruthful in giving factual account of Tippu Sultan in his plays and suggested him to read the references of his book Aavarana and understand the history of fanatic Islamic rulers in India before glorifying anyone by falsifying the truth.
Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy was an early and prominent critic of Bhyrappa's novels. Bhyrappa has documented his debate with Ananthamurthy in Bhitti, as well as in a few essays in Naaneke Bareyuttene. Recently Bhyrappa's latest novel Avarana, which Bhyrappa claims as historical truths about what Islamic rule have done to Indian social/cultural life, has stirred a major controversy in Karnataka. There has been accusations that Bhyrappa is a Hindu fundamentalist who wants to divide society on the basis of history, an allegation which Bhyrappa himself anticipates and refutes in his novel 'Avarana'.[9] Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, another big name in Kannada literature has criticised Bhyrappa and his works, terming Aavarana as dangerous. He said that Bhyrappa was a debater who "doesn’t know what Hindu religion stands for" and "does not know how to write novels".[10] However Bhyrappa claims that the novel was result of his search for truth and there was no ulterior motive behind the novel. He urges critics to study the reference books mentioned in the novel before arriving at any conclusion.[11]
Awards
- Saraswati Samman for his novel Mandra in 2011.
- NTR National literary award in 2007.[12]
- Honorary Doctorate from Gulbarga University in 2007.
- Pampa Award in 2005.[13]
- Sahitya Akademi award in 1975.
- Kannada Sahitya Academy award in 1966.
Bhyrappa was elected as the president of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Kanakapura in 1999. I think at some point of time we need to bring in literary rivalry between SLB(Byrappa) and URA (Anantha Murthy) into the Wikipedia
Both SLBs and URAs contribution to Kannada literature is immense. There is difference in thinking, SLBs writing is more attractive and to the point, some times it appears it has strong right wing influence. Yet no one can beat the amount of interest and anxiety it creates while reading. By now I have read most of the SLB works and anticipating more and more.
On the other hand URAs contributions tend to appear more on left wing, but many a times URAs writings have blend of humanity and focuses more on Human beings. I started reading URAs works after meeting in person while travelling to Kolkata from Bangalore. Definitely I have enjoyed reading URAs writings too.
One thing I wish to see is that participation of SLB and URA in a common forum or discussions keeping their differences or personal rivalry apart. That will be one of the best day our Kannada literature.
Works
Novels
- Gatha Janma (1955) Matteradu Kathegalu
- Bheemakaaya (1958)
- Belaku Mooditu (1959)
- Dharmashree (1961)
- Doora saridaru (1962)
- Matadaana (1965)
- Vamshavruksha (1965)
- Jalapaata (1967)
- Naayi Neralu (1968)
- Tabbaliyu neenaade magane (1968)
- Gruhabhanga (1970)
- Nirakarana (1971)
- Grahana (1991)
- Dhaatu (1972)
- Anweshane (1976)
- Parva(1979)
- Nele (1983)
- Saakshi (1986)
- Anchu (1990)
- Tantu (1993)
- Saartha (1998)
- Mandra (2001)
- Aavarana (2007)
- Kavalu (2010)
Autobiography
- Bhitti
Philosophy
- Satya mattu Soundarya (1966) (Doctoral thesis)
- Saahitya mattu Prateeka (1967)
- Kathe mattu Kathavastu (1969)
- Naaneke Bareyuttene? (1980)
- Sandarbha: Samvada (2011)
Bhyrappa's works translated to other languages
- Dharmashree : Sanskrit, Marathi
- Vamshavruksha : Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, English
- Nayi-Neralu : Gujarati, Hindi
- Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane : Hindi
- Gruhabhanga : All 14 languages of India
- Nirakarana : Hindi
- Daatu : All 14 languages of India, English
- Anveshana : Marathi, Hindi
- Parva : Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, English
- Nele : Hindi
- Sakshi : Hindi, English
- Anchu : Marathi, Hindi
- Tantu : Marathi, Hindi
- Sartha : Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi, English
- Aavarana : Sanskrit, Marathi
- Naneke Bareyuttene : Marathi
- Satya mattu Soundarya : English
- Bhitti : Marathi, Hindi
- Mandra : Marathi
Bhyrappa's novels on screen
Movies
- Vamshavruksha (1972)
- Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane (1977)
- Matadana (2001)
- Nayi-Neralu (2006)
Television series
- Gruhabhanga
- Daatu
See also
Footnotes
- ^ a b c "Still on top of the charts". Online webpage of The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2005-01-28. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ a b "S L Bhyrappa". Online Webpage of India book club. The India Club. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
- ^ "Novelist S.L. Bhyrappa". Vikas Kamat on Kamat's Potpourri. Kamat's Potpourri. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ a b "Personalities of Mysore". Online Webpage of Dasara Committee. Mysore city corporation. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ "Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955-2005". Online Webpage of Sahitya Academy. Sahitya Academy of India. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
- ^ "Bhyrappa to receive Deraje Award". Online Webpage of The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2007-02-10. Retrieved 2007-07-10.
- ^ "Bhyrappas work speaks volumes; goes for 10th edition". Online Webpage of Deccan Herald. Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
- ^ "I stand by NRN: Bhyrappa". Online Webpage of Deccan Herald. Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ "Masks of untruth". Online Webpage of The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ Bhyrappa a debater, not a story-teller, says URA Deccan Herald - May 28, 2007
- ^ "Bhyrappa hits out at critics". Online Webpage of The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2007-06-05. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ "T Bhyrappa given NTR literary award". Online Webpage of The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
- ^ "Change education system to protect literature: Bhyrappa". Online Webpage of The Hindu. Chennai, India: The Hindu. 2006-01-21. Retrieved 2007-06-22.
References
- Bhitti (Seeds) by S.L. Bhyrappa, an autobiography
- Naaneke Bareyuttene by S.L. Bhyrappa, a collection of essays about writing
- S. L. Bhyrappa Badaku-Baraha by Nagaraj Neeragunda on S.L. Bhyrappa's life and works
External links and Further Reading
- Interview with Bhyrappa on Churumuri
- Pampa Award to Bhyrappa in 2001
- Belagere Krishnashastri, Mareyaladeete, for a warm hearted interpretation of the author's experiences with Bhyrappa.
- Bhyrappabhinandana, a feliciation book on S.L. Bhyrappa
- S.L. Bhyrappa Avara Krutigala Vimarshe a collection of literary criticism on S.L.Bhyrappa's works compiled by Sumateendra Nadig
- Mandra-Manthana, a collection of essays about S.L. Bhyrappa's novel, Mandra, by various literary critics
