Eminent Kannada writer S L Bhyrappa cremated in Mysuru, Karnataka CM promises memorial for controversial novelist

The Kannada writer passed away on September 24 and his body was kept in Mysuru for public viewing for a day on Thursday. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has announced the building of a memorial for Bhyrappa at Mysuru where the writer was educated and lived.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has stated that he shared a good relationship with Bhyrappa although their world views were different.

“With his intimate writing style Bhyrappa gathered a vast readership. His demise has impoverished the literary world,” Siddaramaiah said.

“He was a teacher and also involved himself in the field of literature. He used to write novels for self-satisfaction, but his work became world famous. I have read some of his novels. He was a writer who wrote on the basis of his life experiences,” Siddaramaiah said.

“No matter how much he grew in stature, Bhyrappa never forgot his roots. When I was the Chief Minister, he never asked me for any award or recognition. Instead, he only asked, ‘Please give water to our village.” the former BJP CM of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai said.

Bhyrappa who was born in 1931 at Santeshivara, Hassan district wrote 26 novels and was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards. His first novel ‘Bheemakaya’ was published in 1958,

His most popular works include Gruhabhanga, Parva, Aavarana, Nayi Neralu and others, with Uttarakaanda published in 2017 being his last novel. His works have been translated into English and other Indian languages and several have been made into films by eminent Kannada directors.

Bhyrappa along with two other writers Chidananda Murthy and Sumateendra Nadig are among the rare right leaning, conservative writers among the pantheon of Kannada writers who have traditionally been progressive thinkers.

As a consequence, Bhyrappa was adopted by the right wing and the Sangh Parivar as a torch bearer – especially after his divisive novel “Aavarana” which focused on Muslims. Several distinguished Kannada writers who were fans of Bhyrappa changed their opinions about the writer following the publication of the provocative “Aavarana” or “Veil” in 2007.

In 2021, when he was chosen for the Padma Bhushan award Bhyrappa said that he got the award only because Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India.

“I am not sure why I did not get the award earlier. Awards will come and go and no one will remember a writer for the awards he got. If readers have interest in a book, they will speak about the writer. A writer will die one day, what is important is whether his writing will be relevant even after his death,” he said after being conferred the Padma Bhushan award.

Incidentally, following the news of the death of Bhyrappa the 2025 Booker Prize winning Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq has revealed in a social media post that Bhyrappa lived at her home to research the daily lives of Muslims for “Aavarana”.

“Dr. Bhyrappa explained that he was visiting us to gather background information for a novel he was planning to write. He said he wanted to observe the atmosphere of a Muslim household and understand its cultural nuances and family dynamics. I couldn’t help but laugh,” Banu Mushtaq, who inaugurated the Mysuru Dasara this week – amid stiff opposition from the BJP, wrote on her social media account on September 24.

“I told him that such an atmosphere wouldn’t be found in our home, and that if he truly needed an authentic experience, families like ours wouldn’t typically host someone like Dr. Bhyrappa. He decided to stay with us anyway,” she wrote.

“Later, ‘Aavarana’ was published. In it, Dr. Bhyrappa presented examples that aligned with his pre-established themes — selectively chosen to support a portrayal that demonised the Muslim community,” Banu Mushtaq noted.

“I was once among the most loyal readers in Dr. Bhyrappa’s circle. But after witnessing his stance, his rigidity, and the way he articulated a line of thought steeped in prejudice, I could no longer remain one of his devoted readers,” she said.

“His arguments often felt like those of a seasoned lawyer — carefully constructed, selectively researched, and presented with intellectual precision. I found myself asking: Who had stolen his creative spirit?” Mushtaq wrote on her social media account.

“Though we differed ideologically, the memories of meeting him, speaking with him, and engaging in conversation remain etched in my mind. Now that he has passed away, it feels as though a thread of emotion has snapped. It feels like a personal loss,” she said.

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