I got Padma Bhushan as Narendra Modi is PM, his govt is best ever: SL Bhyrappa

MYSURU: Noted novelist SL Bhyrappa, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan on Wednesday, said his works have been recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I got this award as Modi is the PM. Else, I would not have received it," he said on Thursday.

The administration led by Mysuru district in-charge minister ST Somashekar called on him and congratulated him.

Bhyrappa attributed the award to the people of Mysuru. "The Modi government is the best government India has ever got. He should get a majority till the 2029 elections. After that, a leader nurtured by him with all his qualities must lead the country," he said.

He added, "I'm not praising Modi government for giving this award. I read a lot about politics even though I don't have any links with politics. I read a lot of history books. I'm happy now to have got this government."

Bhyrappa slammed opposition parties, alleging they are not constructive like those in western countries.

He said his readers express gratitude for his works every day but wondered how long his books will be read. "Poet Kumaravyasa's 'Bharata' is read and recited even after 500 years. His writing had that power. Does my writing have that power? A writer thinks about this," he said.

Another Padma awardee and resident of Gangotri Layout here, S Subbaraman, 93, said it's a great honour and a big surprise. He was selected for his contribution to archaeology. He hails from Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district and served in the Archaeological Survey of India for four decades.

India should not have banned BBC documentary: Bhyrappa

Asked about the latest BBC documentary on Gujarat violence of 2002, Bhyrappa condemned it and said it's aimed at tarnishing India's image when the country is leading the G20.

"India should not have banned it. Instead, it should have reacted based on the Supreme Court judgment," he said. He alleged that critics of Modi are silent on the train burning incident at Godhra in Gujarat.

He endorsed the demand for a Uniform Civil Code and said all laws and rules must be applicable to everyone, including minorities.

Beating social stigma with drum beats: Munivenkatappa

From Chikkaballapura, 72-year-old Munivenkatappa of Pindipapanahalli village of Sidlagatta taluk was awarded the Padma Shri. This exponent of percussion instrument tamate was awarded for his contribution in propagating folk art.

Munivenatappa has been a tamate artist for over 50 years, said his son Prasanna, a waterman with the village panchayat.

Munivenkatappa recalled that his father was a tamate artist but he kept away from it till his father passed away when he was 17 years old.

"Given the social stigma attached to playing the tamate, I faced many embarrassing moments and was even deboarded from a local bus a couple of times. Often, passengers refused to seat alongside me," he said.

He was spotted by HL Nage Gowda of Janapada Loka who invited him for a performance and that was the turning point. He recalled the support extended by Dakshina Murthy of Kannada & culture department and KN Thygaraju, former councillor of Kolar CMC.

Munivenkatappa was conferred the Rajyotsava Award in 1992 and the Kannada & culture department sent him to Japan where he mesmerised everyone with his performance. He took part in the Akka Conference in 2014 and Navika Conference in 2015, both in the US.

He has trained over 350 disciples but fears for the future of the art as young people now are not so keen to learn it.