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S.L.Bhyrappa turns 90

Sri S.L.Bhyrappa, arguably the greatest among contemporary Indian novelists has turned 90 (born on 20th August 1931). The most discussed living legend was born in the village Santheshivara, Hassan District of Karnataka.  Author of 26 great novels, in Kannada, has kindled the imagination rank and file of lovers of literature.  Almost all his novels are translated into almost all Indian languages, apart from English and Sanskrit.  Parva, arguably his master piece is recently translated into Chinese and Russian languages also.

Yes, Dr. S.L. Bhyrappa's 'Parva' was launched 40 years ago as a Kannada novel. Since then it has kindled the imagination of connoisseurs of literature all over the world. Its Kannada version has found 21 reprints and its Marathi version has found 15 reprints! 

Parva is Vyasa's Mahabharath rewritten.  But Dr. Bhyrappa has viewed Mahabharath not as mythology, but as a live event of our history.  Obviously he has demystified all characters and events of the great epic. Although Krishna (the God!) is a major character in this novel too, he is depicted as a human character susceptible to follies of life! Dr. Bhyrappa's demystification of the entire epic brings the story and its characters closer to our lives.

'Akshaya vastra pradhan' is probably the most touching event in Mahabharath.  Disrobing and rape of women is happening in the present day world too, where Krishna/s never come to the rescue!
But in Vysa's Mahabharath, Krishna, the God sends an unending chain of sarees from his place to protect Draupadi's honour.  Demystifying this event, Dr. Bhyrappa has given a different twist.  With husbands and elders not ready to come to the rescue, helpless Draupadi shouts at Duryodhan saying that 'Krishna is still by her side and she will take revenge with his help'!  When reminded of Krishna and his clout, Duryodhan orders his brother to stop the act of disrobing.  Thereby Bhyrappaji demystifies the event and makes it look convincing, but still effective!

Guru Drona's act of robbing Ekalavya's archery skills by demanding the 'most infamous Gurudakshina' is a black mark on the community of teachers.  Bhyrappaji, himself being a teacher has given a new twist to the entire saga to deflect the black mark away from 'Guru Drona'.  I am presenting Bhyrappaji's version in the form of my self-composed-poetry.  Please read on.

GURU DRONA

(A Soliloquy)

'Acharya Devo Bhava' says Upanishad
Yes, I am a revered Guru, yet
I am remembered as a Cheat!

I was born poor
martial arts was never my forte
Yet, I mastered all that
thanks to my Guru’s touch!
I was determined to teach
caste, creed and religion were no hitch, yet
I am remembered as a Cheat!

When my life was under threat
I had to seek retreat under
Bhishma, the uncrowned King of Hastinapur
Yes, I became a royal Guru, yet

I am remembered as a Cheat!

No doubt, Arjun was  bright

but when I saw Ekalavya, the forest kid

I couldn't resist

I was thrilled by his skills!

And I dared to teach him along with Kuru Princes!

I adored Ekalavya and Arjun more than my own son, yet

I am remembered as a Cheat!

I forgot I was a royal stooge

my Gurukul was under siege

Raged Bhishma thundered

poor Ekalavya had to be barred

And my heart became heavy and eyes wet, yet

I am remembered as a Cheat!

Teacher in my heart continued to beat 

and I kept secretly boating to Ekalavya's forest

Taught him all secrets of skillful combat 

and made him world's great, yet

I am remembered as a Cheat!

Talent can never be hidden for long

And one day when Ekalavya came to light

arrogant Bhishma could not tolerate!

I was pulled and ordered to eliminate 

my most talented pet!

And I was made a hapless ploy for 

fulfilling the royal might, yet

I am remembered as a Cheat!

My heart sunk into my boot

when I demanded 'Gurudakshina' 

of my beloved’s thumb, so deft at right

and how shameful I felt?

I did balm that injured fist

I even taught him the four-fingered archery art

but nothing could wipe my guilt, yet

I am remembered as a Cheat!!!

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'ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಮಾನವ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯೇ?' ಎಂಬುದೊಂದು ತನಿಖೆಯ ವಿಚಾರ.

'ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಮಾನವ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯೇ?' ಎಂಬುದೊಂದು ತನಿಖೆಯ ವಿಚಾರ. ಆದರೆ, ಈ ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯ ಕಥಾವಸ್ತುವಿನ ವಿಸ್ತಾರ ಇನ್ನೂ ವಿಶಾಲವಾದದು. ಚೀನಾದಿಂದ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮಿದ 'ಕೋವಿಡ್-೧೯' ಎಂಬ ಮಹಾಮಾರಿ, ಈಗ ಇಡೀ ವಿಶ್ವವನ್ನಾವರಿಸಿದೆ. ಕಷ್ಟಸಹಿಷ್ಣುವಾದ ಮನುಕುಲವು, ಕೋವಿಡ್-೧೯ಕ್ಕಿಂತಲೂ ಘೋರವಾದ ಮಹಾಮಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಕಳೆದ ಶತಮಾನದಲ್ಲೇ ಎದುರಿಸಿ ಜಯಿಸಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಪುಟ್ಟ ವೈರಾಣುವೊಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಬೆದರಿ, ಕೈ ಕಟ್ಟಿ ಕೂರುವ ಜಾಯಮಾನ ಮಾನವನದಲ್ಲ. 'ಜೀವಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಜೀವನೋಪಾಯಗಳ (Lives Vs Livelihoods)' ನಡುವಿನ ಹೋರಾಟ, ವಿಶ್ವಾದ್ಯಂತ ಮುಂದುವರೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ಒಂದು ಧನಾತ್ಮಕ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಯೇ ಸರಿ. 

ಇಂದೊಂದು ಕಾಲ್ಪನಿಕ ಕಾದಂಬರಿಯಾದರೂ, ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಪಾತ್ರಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ಕಥೆಗಳ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಗೆ, ನಮ್ಮ ಸುತ್ತಲೂ ಜರುಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ನೈಜ ಘಟನೆಗಳೇ ಮೂಲಾಧಾರ. ಮನುಕುಲ ಹಾಗೂ ನಮ್ಮ ದೇಶ ಭಾರತ, ಕೋವಿಡ್ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸಮರದ ಪಕ್ಷಿನೋಟವನ್ನು, ಓದುಗರ ಮುಂದಿಡುವುದೇ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಉದ್ದೇಶ.  

P.V.Narasimha Rao Centenary 1921-2021

P.V.Narasimha Rao Centenary

1921-2021

P.V.Narasimha Rao's dead body was at the gates of Congress party Head Quarters at Delhi, waiting for the gates to open. The day was 23rd Dec 2004. But the orders from 'top' never came and the gates were never opened! After thirty awkward minutes, the cortege  was taken to airport for taking the body to Hyderabad for cremation. It was customary to place the bodies of past Congress Presidents at the Congress Party Head Quarters in Delhi, to enable party workers to pay their homage.  But not only this honor was denied to Rao, but a memorial in Delhi was also denied for the departed PM by the 'power center' which was at the helm during those days!

When P.V.Narasimha Rao became the accidental Prime Minister of India during 1991, India was in the midst of a worst crisis.  Countries economy was in doldrums, license raj and restrictions had tied the hands and legs of our entrepreneurs and terror was ruling high in Punjab and Kashmir. Rao never had a political base of his own. He headed a minority Government and was mistrusted by his own party people.  Still 'Chanakya of Indian Politics,' managed all these challenges admirably to reinvent India, at home and abroad.

When Rao took over as PM, our Country had meagre reserves of foreign exchange. Rao had cleverly chosen Manmohan Singhji as his Finance Minister.  Rao devalued Indian Rupee to an extent of about 25%, which became the launch pad for further reforms that followed. New Industrial Policy, the abolition of license raj, paving way for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), establishment of SEBI and NSE paving way for an active market, liberal licenses grant to new entrepreneurs to establish their business and many more reform steps were initiated by Rao, which virtually provided a paradigm shift for Indian economy to move away from the Nehruvian model.

We bankers fondly remember the launching of new generation private sector banks like the ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank etc. as a result of Rao's liberalization policies.  Also the Indian software companies like Infosys, TCS grew by leaps and bounds as a result of Rao's reforms. Vajpayee, Manmohan Singhji and even the present PM Modi have just followed the footsteps of Rao in steering the economy of our Country. Rao richly deserves the title of 'father of Indian Economic Reforms.'

Not many know that Rao may also be called as the 'father of Indian Nuclear Power.'  During the end of the year 1995 itself, Rao was planning for the 'nuclear test,' but had to abandon the plan because of pressure from US.  But the selfless statesman, Rao passed on the nuclear baton and the useful tips to his successor Vajpayee who successfully conducted the nuclear tests during 1998.

Rao also scripted the end of two decades long terrorism in Punjab during his regime.  His handling of terror in J & K is also admired by many discerning viewers. 

The fall of Babri Masjid during the end of 1992 and the riots that followed became a black mark in his stint as PM. 

Managing a minority Government was a big challenge for Rao.  Corruption charges levelled against him while managing the confidence vote for survival of the Government is another black mark on his career. Harshad Mehta stock market scam also occurred during his regime.

Rao was an 'unsung hero' both during his life and life after. He was the most deserving candidate for the 'Bharat Ratna' award.  But neither his mother party nor the BJP have bothered to confer it on him.  But nothing prevents many from rating him as the 'best Prime Minister, India ever had.' Long live the memory of P.V.Narasimha Rao!

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ಚೆನ್ನವೀರ ಕಣವಿರವರಿಗೆ ಹುಟ್ಟು ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು

 ೨೮-೦೬-೨೦೨೧ರಂದು ಕಣವಿಯವರ ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬದಂದು ಈ ಗೀತೆಯನ್ನು ರಚಿಸಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದ್ದೆ. ಕೂಡಲೇ ನನಗೆ ಕಣವಿಯವರೇ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ, ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಆಶೀರ್ವದಿಸಿದ್ದು ನನ್ನ ಸುದೈವ. 

***

ಸಮನ್ವಯದ ಕವಿ 

ಚೆನ್ನವೀರ ಕಣವಿರವರಿಗೆ 

ನಮನಗಳು 

***

ಹೂವು ಹೊರಳುವವು ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಕಡೆಗೆ 

ನಮ್ಮ ದಾರಿ ಬರಿ 'ಕಣವಿ'ಯವರೆಗೆ 

ಗದ್ಯದ ಒಡಲಿಗೆ, ಪದ್ಯದ ಕಡಲಿಗೆ 

ಮುಳುಗಿದಂತೆ, ದಿನ ಬೆಳಗಿದಂತೆ 

ಹೊರಬರುವನು 'ವರಕವಿ'ಯ ಹಾಗೆ 

*

'ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ'ಯಲಿ ಕರಗಿಸಿ ಬಿಡವನು 

ಎಲ್ಲ ಬಗೆಯ ಸರಕು:

ಸಮನ್ವಯದ ಕವಿಯು 

ಕೂಡಿಸಿ ಬಾಳ ತೊಡಕು.  

*

'ಜೀವ ಧ್ವನಿ' ಕವನಗಳಿಗೂ ಮುದ 

ಭಾವಪೂರ್ಣ ಗಾನಕೂ ಒಂದೇ ಹದ, 

ಕವಿ ಹೃದಯದೊಳೇನು ನಡೆವುದೋ 

'ಚೆನ್ನವೀರ'ನವನು ಕಲಾವಿದ. 

ರಚನೆ:

ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ ಕೆ.  

***

ಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿ:

೧) ಕಣವಿಯವರ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೋರುತ್ತಾ,

ಅವರ 'ಹೂವು ಹೊರಳುವವು'

ಕವನದ ಧಾಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ....... 

೨) 'ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ ಮತ್ತು ಜೀವ ಧ್ವನಿ' 

ಶ್ರೀಯುತರ ಎರಡು ಕವನಗಳು. 

೩) 'ಸಮನ್ವಯದ ಕವಿ' ಎಂಬುದು 

ಕಣವಿಯರ ಒಂದು ಬಿರುದು 

ಹೂವು ಹೊರಳುವವು ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಕಡೆಗೆ 

ನಮ್ಮ ದಾರಿ ವರಕವಿಯವರೆಗೆ  

ಗದ್ಯದ ಒಡಲಿಗೆ, ಪದ್ಯದ ಕಡಲಿಗೆ 

ಮುಳುಗಿದಂತೆ, ದಿನ ಬೆಳಗಿದಂತೆ 

ಹೊರಬರುವನು ರವಿಯ ಹಾಗೆ 

*

'ಮಣ್ಣಿನ ಮೆರವಣಿಗೆ'ಯಲಿ ಕರಗಿಸಿ ಬಿಡವನು 

ಎಲ್ಲ ಬಗೆಯ ಸರಕು:

ಸಮನ್ವಯದ ಕವಿಯು 

ಕೂಡಿಸಿ ಬಾಳ ತೊಡಕು.  

*

'ಜೀವ ಧ್ವನಿ' ಕವನಗಳಿಗೂ ಮುದ 

ಭಾವಪೂರ್ಣ ಗಾನಕೂ ಒಂದೇ ಹದ, 

ಕವಿ ಹೃದಯದೊಳೇನು ನಡೆವುದೋ 

'ಚೆಲ್ವವೀರನವನು'ನವನು ಕಲಾವಿದ. 

ರಚನೆ:

ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ ಕೆ.  

ಎಚ್ಚೆಸ್ವಿ ರವರಿಗೆ ಜನುಮದಿನದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು

ಎಚ್ಚೆಸ್ವಿ ರವರಿಗೆ ಜನುಮದಿನದ 

            ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು

*** 

ಹಚ್ಚ ಹಸಿರಿನ್ನೂ ಮನಸು 

ಅದು ಎಪ್ಪತ್ತೇಳರ ವಯಸು 

*

ಮಾತು ಮಾತಿಗೂ ಕವನ 

'ಶಂಖದೊಳಗಿನ ಮೌನ' 

ಲೇಖನಿ ಹಿಡಿದಷ್ಟು ಹೊತ್ತು 

ನೋಡು, ಅದು 'ಅಕ್ಷರ ಜಗತ್ತು' 

*

ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಯಿತೇ?

ರಾಧೆ ತುಟಿ ಕೆಂಪಾಯಿತೇ?

ಶ್ಯಾಮನ ಮತ್ತೆ ಛೇಡಿಸಿತೇ?

ಅವಳ ಗಲ್ಲದ ಮಚ್ಚೆ! 

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ಇನ್ನೂ ಹಸಿರು, ಇನ್ನೂ ನವಿರು 

ಎದೆಯಲ್ಲೆಷ್ಟು ಭಾವವೋ?

ಯಾವ ಹೊಸ ಕವನವೋ?

ಪ್ರಸವಿಸಲಿ 

ನಮ್ಮ ರಂಜಿಸುತಿರಲಿ 

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ರಚನೆ: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ ಕೆ. (ಎಚ್ಚೆಸ್ವಿರವರ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೋರುತ್ತಾ......ಅವರ  

'ಹುಚ್ಚು ಕೋಡಿ ಮನಸು' ಕವನಾಧಾರಿತ), ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು: ಚಿತ್ರ : ಶ್ರೀ ರಘುಪತಿ ಶೃಂಗೇರಿ 

'ಮಸಣದ ಚಲುವೊಂದಿಗೆ' ಪ್ರಣಯವಾಯ್ತೆ?

'ಮಸಣದ ಚಲುವೊಂದಿಗೆ' ಪ್ರಣಯವಾಯ್ತೆ? 

ಮಸಣದ ನೀರವತೆ ದಮನಿತರ  

 ದನಿಗೆ, ತಾ ಸ್ಫೂರ್ತಿಯಾಯ್ತೆ?

'ನಾ ಮೂಳೆ, ನಾ ಇಂಗೆ ಇರಲ್ಲಾ 

ಕೂಗ್ತೀನಿ, ಸಿಡಿತೀನಿ,' ಎಂಬಿವನ ದನಿ 

ಬಂಡಾಯದ ಕೂಗಾಯ್ತೆ?

'ತ್ರಾಣ, ಪ್ರಾಣ ಎಳ್ಡೂ ಇಲ್ದೆ 

ತ್ವಡೆ ನಡ್ಗಿ ಸತ್ತೋಗೋರಾ,' ಎಂಬೀ ಕೂಗು 

ನಮ್ಮಾಳೋರ ಬಡಿದೆಬ್ಬಿಸಿತೇ?

'ಟಾಟಾ, ಬಿರ್ಲಾ ಜೋಬಿಗೆ ಬಂತು 

ನಲವತ್ತೇಳರ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ' ಎಂದವನ ನಾದ 

ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ ನ್ಯಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ತಾ ನಾಂದಿಯಾಯ್ತೆ?

ಶೋಷಿತರ ದನಿಯಿಂದು ಸದ್ದಡಗಿಸಿತೆ?

ದಿವ್ಯ ಚೇತನಕೇತರ ಸಾವು?

ಸ್ಥಾವರಕಳಿವುಂಟು, ಜಂಗಮಕ್ಕುಂಟೇ?

ರಚನೆ: ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ ಕೆ. 

ಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿ: ಡಾ. ಸಿದ್ಧಲಿಂಗಯ್ಯರವರ "ಮಸಣದ 

ಚಲುವೆ, ಒಂದು ಮೂಳೆಯ ಹಾಡು, 

ಸತ್ತೋಗೋರಾ, ನಲವತ್ತೇಳರ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯ"

ಗೀತೆಗಳಿಂದ ಆಯ್ದ ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನು 

ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಬಳಸಲಾಗಿದೆ)