India has lost one of its most profound literary voices. Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa, widely revered as S. L. Bhyrappa, passed away on 24 September 2025 in Bengaluru at the age of 94. He breathed his last at Rashtrotthana Health & Research Centre around 2:38 pm following a cardiac arrest. His passing marks the end of an era in Kannada literature, leaving behind a void that is difficult to fill.
Born in 1931 in Hassan district, Karnataka, Bhyrappa’s life was one of resilience and relentless pursuit of knowledge. He lost his mother and siblings to plague in his early years, experienced poverty, and even wandered across India during his youth before returning to complete his education. His deep interest in philosophy led him to pursue higher studies, culminating in a Ph.D. Later, he taught philosophy at various institutions including NCERT Delhi and in Mysore, while simultaneously crafting his literary legacy.
Over six decades, Bhyrappa authored 24 novels, along with essays, criticism, and his autobiography Bhitti. His novels, in order of publication, include: Bheemakaaya, Dharmashree, Doora Saridaru, Matadana, Vamshavruksha, Jalapaata, Naayi Neralu, Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Gruhabhanga, Nirakarana, Grahana, Daatu, Anveshana, Parva, Nele, Sakshi, Anchu, Tantu, Saartha, Mandra, Aavarana, Kavalu, Yaana, and Uttarakaanda. These works reshaped Kannada literature by exploring themes of morality, identity, history, and the human condition. Bhyrappa’s style combined rigorous research with philosophical depth, making his novels timeless works of reflection and debate.
Several of his writings transcended the page to find life on screen and stage. Films like Vamsha Vriksha, Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Matadana, and Naayi Neralu brought his stories to cinema audiences, while television adaptations of Gruhabhanga and Daatu further extended his reach. Stage adaptations of Vamshavruksha, Mandra, Saartha, and Parva kept his narratives alive in theatre, with Parva also set to become a three-part epic film titled Parva: An Epic Tale of Dharma.
His contributions were recognized at the highest levels. Bhyrappa received the Padma Shri in 2016 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023, alongside honors such as the Saraswati Samman and the Sahitya Akademi Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned his passing, calling him “a towering stalwart who stirred our conscience and delved deep into the soul of India.”
In his death, India has lost more than a novelist. It has lost a thinker, a philosopher, and a seeker of truth who challenged readers to reflect on their past and present. As the literary world grieves, Bhyrappa’s words remain immortal, a beacon for generations to come, urging them to question, to understand, and to carry forward the light of inquiry he so passionately kept alive.
Om Shanti.