SL Bhyrappa’s curtain call: Witnessing Parva

One of SL Bhyrappa’s most celebrated works, Parva, came alive on stage in an ambitious eight-hour theatrical adaptation by director Prakash Belawadi. Years ago, Bhyrappa had watched an early Kannada version in Mysuru. This time, he returned to see its English adaptation — one of his final public appearances. Recalling those moments, Prakash shared, “It was an honour to have worked with such an eminent writer. He had watched my early Kannada version in Mysuru, and when I remade it in English, he was there too. On the first day, the English showcase stopped within minutes due to technical glitches. We were tense and disheartened backstage. But Bhyrappa came back, met every actor, and consoled us with such calm dignity.”

When the play was rescheduled, Bhyrappa returned once more. At the end, he rose to his feet, folding his hands in a gesture of deep appreciation, offering the cast a standing ovation. For the writer who gave Parva to the world, this felt like a symbolic reunion with his own words — his creation breathing on stage, one last time before him.

Kannada literary giant SL Bhyrappa leaves behind a timeless legacy

Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa, fondly known as SL Bhyrappa, passed away on Wednesday in Bengaluru at the age of 94, leaving behind a literary legacy that reshaped Kannada literature. His journey began in 1958 with Bheemakaya. Over the decades, he became synonymous with novels that delved into philosophy, history, faith, and the human condition. Works such as Dharmashree, Matadana, and Vamsha Vriksha did more than narrate stories — they questioned society, tradition, and morality. Bhyrappa’s contributions were recognised with the Saraswati Samman (2010), the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2015), the Padma Shri (2016), and the Padma Bhushan (2023). His words will continue to echo, challenging, comforting, and inspiring generations to come.