Legendary SL Bhyrappa.

The passing of legendary Kannada writer S. L. Bhyrappa in Mysuru at a venerable age is profoundly saddening. Even in his nineties, he remained intellectually vibrant and deeply engaged with literature—a testament to his unwavering passion for the written word.
Among his many celebrated works, I have read only one: Parva, a monumental novel spanning nearly six hundred pages. It is a masterful retelling of the Mahabharata, stripped of divine interventions and reimagined through a sociological and anthropological lens. Widely regarded as one of his most acclaimed and debated creations, Parva stands as a towering achievement in Indian literature.
Bhyrappa situates the narrative in the 12th century BCE, grounding it in meticulous research across disciplines—anthropology, geography, and socio-politics. His commitment to authenticity led him on pilgrimages to sites like Kurukshetra, Dwaraka, and Lothal, breathing life into the epic’s historical and cultural backdrop.
What sets Parva apart is its philosophical depth. Each chapter unfolds through the introspective lens of a central character—Kunti, Bhima, Draupadi, Karna, Bhishma, and others—grappling with the moral, emotional, and existential dilemmas of their time. Notably, Krishna is never a narrator; he exists only through the memories and perceptions of others, adding layers of nuance to his presence.
Through Parva, Bhyrappa explores the philosophical essence of the Mahabharata—dharma, war, love, death, and identity—with profound introspection. It is no exaggeration to call Parva his magnum opus, much like Nehru’s Discovery of India, Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Premchand’s Godan, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi’s Banabhatta ki Atmakatha, or Dinkar’s Rashmirathi.
Parva alone is enough to enshrine Bhyrappa ji among the immortals of literary history. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of readers and thinkers. A heartfelt homage to a towering figure in Indian literature.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Uncouth Attitude of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister is Against the Basic Structure of the Constitution

Image
The behaviour of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is often found to be uncouth, indecorous, and uncivilised. He has been generating controversy and turmoil that could be easily avoided. For instance, during Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Tamil Nadu for official business, Mr. Stalin was absent without a plausible reason. His absence insulted the people of the state more than it did the Prime Minister, especially since he was in Rameshwaram to inaugurate the Pamban bridge, which connects the mainland of the state to the historic religious island. He and his party claim to uphold the Constitution of India, which emphasises three basic structural doctrines: federalism, judicial review, and fundamental rights. Therefore, it is courteous for Chief Minister Stalin to be present to receive the Prime Minister when he visits the state for governmental purposes. However, his absence in the official functions of Prime Minister demonstrates his arrogance, ignorance, and total disrespe...
Read more

Law to Weed out Touts is Inadequate and Needs to be Done More

  Law to Weed out Touts is Inadequate and Needs to be Done More The presence of touts is ubiquitous in any court, be it district, High Court or even the Supreme Court. Why only courts- this is a common sight of any government office dealing with the public. So much so, even in the hospitals, touts rule the roost. Police stations remain hovered by the touts all the time. Even an FIR cannot be lodged without the help of the touts. As far as the courts are concerned, touts are found on all their gates itself. Many advocates depend on them because it is they who bring cases to them and in return get good commissions. Many touts have their own independent offices, and they operate by giving a façade of computer operators or typists. That is why, the Advocate Amendment Bill 2023 passed by Parliament the other day is a welcome law.    Verily speaking, the judicial system is swamped with touts. The definition of tout that has been given in the new Advocates (Amendment) Bill o...
Read more

Hamas does not Deserve any support for its thrashing

       Israel and Hamas war started on 7 th October and has already taken the toll of more than 15 thousand human lives. In the past, no friction with Israel has lasted for more than a week but this time it is still continuing despite the passage of nearly six weeks’ time.  In fact, it is no longer a war but a relentless thrashing of the Hamas terrorists and their sympathisers in the Gaza Strip. According to the latest reports almost the entire Gaza Strip has been occupied by Israel’s forces. Hamas terrorists are hiding like rats in the tunnels, which they have constructed mainly under the hospitals to shield themselves. Terrorists are now targeting hospitals, killing innocent people and blaming Israel’s forces to gain sympathy from the world. But no country has till now come forward to join the war against Israel. Even Iran, Lebanon and Pakistan do not have the courage to face the wrath of Israel.   As a matter of fact, the world can learn a lesson ...
Read more