Mysuru, 26 Sept 

Acclaimed Kannada writer SL Bhyrappa’s last rites were conducted with full State honours at the foothills of Chamundi Hills by his sons and the literatures’ caretaker on Friday. 

Bhyrappa’s sons Uday Shankar and Ravi Shankar and his caretaker Sahana performed the ceremony with Hoysala Brahmin tradition.      

Earlier, security was tightened at his Kuvempu Nagar residence owing to differences in the family when the body was taken there for some rituals.

A ten-member troop led by Police officer Shivananda paid tributes to the department soul by gun salute.

Earlier, Union Minister Prahalad Joshi, District Minister HC Mahadevappa, MLC K Shivakumar, MLA TS Srivatsa, Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy placed wreath and respected the writer with all state honours. Joshi and Mahadevappa handed over the national flag to Bhyrappas’ sons.

Sahana lit the funeral pyre with Uday and Ravi. 

Residents from Santheshivara of Hassan district, Bhyarappa’s native, also arrived in three buses and paid tributes to the writer.

Bhyrappa authored about 25 novels and four volumes of literary criticism, along with works on aesthetics, social issues, and culture.

His celebrated novels include 'Vamshavriksha', 'Daatu', 'Parva', and 'Mandara'. Several of his works, such as 'Naayi-Neralu', 'Matadana', 'Vamshavriksha', and 'Tabbaliyu Neenaade Magane', have been adapted into films, while 'Gruhabhanga' and 'Daatu' were made into TV series. His autobiography is titled 'Bhitti' (Canvas).

He was the recipient of prestigious honours, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Saraswati Samman, and Sahitya Akademi Awards.