One of the leading luminaries in the literature field Dr SL Byrappa gets the coveted ‘Nrupathunga’ award that carries Rs.7 lakhs, trophy, citation etc.

Dr SL Byrappa literary works have been made use in the big and small screen. ‘Grihabanga’ was a mega serial directed by Padmasri Dr Girish Kasaravalli. Way back in 1972 ‘Vamshavriksha’ was made that starred Sampath Kumar who later became Dr Vishnuvardhana icon of Kannada cinema. The novels of DR SL Byrappa ‘Thabbaliyu Neenade Magane, Matadaana and Naayi Neralu were adapted on silver screen while ‘Gruhabhanga’ and ‘Dhaatu’ were brought in as mega serials.

The Nrupathunga award is constituted by BMTC – Bengaluru Mahananagara Transport Corporation in Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

In the presence of veteran poet Dr BR Lakshman Rao, Vidwan Veeranna Rajuru, BMTC director A N Prakash Gowda, welfare department Vijayakumar Rai, V C Channe Gowda, central Kannada committee selected Dr SL Byrappa for this year.

Kannada Sahitya Parishat also announced Mayoora Varma award for Ramalingeshwara, C Nandini, shanthi K Appanna that carries cash prize of Rs.25000.