The passing of G.S. Shivarudrappa (Dec. 24) removes from our midst one of the greatest Kannada literary giants of our times and an extraordinary human being. Poetry was always a passion with GSS and the tranquil backdrop of the hills and dales at Bathi near Davangere in Karnataka was the perfect setting for him to create his works.
Many of his poems, which have been rendered into songs, have left an indelible mark on Kannada literature and embellished the language. The distinguished littérateur was only the third Kannada poet, after his teacher, K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu) and Manjeswara Govinda Pai, to be bestowed the prestigious title of “Rashtrakavi (national poet”). The State may never be able to produce a littérateur of such mettle.
N.J. Ravi Chander,
Bangalore
