Some writers tell stories, and then there are those rare souls who hold up a mirror to our civilisation, our history, and our innermost selves. Sri Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa was one such soul. On 24 September 2025, when he departed from this mortal world, it was not just the end of a life – it was the closing of a luminous chapter in Indian literature.

Bhyrappa’s journey was not easy. Born in hardship, tested by tragedy, tempered by struggle, he rose through sheer willpower to become Karnataka’s most celebrated novelist and one of India’s towering intellectuals. Every page he wrote carried the weight of truth, the fragrance of beauty, and the courage of uncompromising honesty.

He did not write to entertain; he wrote to awaken. Parva forced us to see the Mahabharata through human eyes. Mandra opened the hidden world of classical music. Tantu mirrored a nation in turmoil. And Aavarana gave voice to truths many feared to speak. With each work, he stirred debate, provoked thought, and above all, reminded us that literature is a quest for meaning, not an escape from reality.

What made Bhyrappa beloved was not just his scholarship, but his humility. Despite the storms of controversy, despite the glitter of awards, he remained a simple man who listened with patience and spoke with care. Readers from all walks of life – students, farmers, teachers, barbers, housewives – saw in him not a distant icon, but a companion who gave words to their unspoken thoughts.

His women characters – strong, scarred, yet unbroken – carried the silent heroism of Indian womanhood. His men – flawed, torn, yet striving – reflected the eternal struggle of dharma. In all his creations, one could see the pulse of Bharat, timeless and indestructible.

Bhyrappa leaves behind no dynasty, no heirs of privilege. His true children are his twenty-four novels, each an immortal flame. They will outlive us all, guiding generations yet unborn.

As we bid farewell, let us not grieve only for what we have lost. Let us also celebrate what he has given – the courage to face truth without fear, the wisdom to seek beauty without illusion, and the reminder that great literature is not written for awards or applause, but for the awakening of the human spirit.

Sri S. L. Bhyrappa lived as he wrote – with integrity, clarity, and quiet strength. His words will echo long after his voice is silenced.

Bharat bows to him. Kannada bows to him. Every reader whose heart he touched bows to him.

Wing Commander BS Sudarshan is a former Indian Air Force pilot with over 12,000 flying hours. He participated in Operation Pawan and Operation Cactus before he transitioned to civil aviation. A passionate writer, he has authored six books, including "Hasiru Hampe", appreciated by S L Bhyrappa, and the latest "Evergreen Hampi". He is a regular contributor to the Verandah Club.