Noted scholar, litterateur Haridasa Bhat passes away

By Our Staff Correspondent

UDUPI, AUG. 20. Noted scholar and litterateur, Prof. K.S.Haridasa Bhat, popularly known as Prof. Ku.Shi, passed away on Sunday morning after he had a cardiac arrest at the K.K. Hospital here, where he was being treated. He was 76.

Prof. Bhat was admitted to the hospital two days ago after he had complained of weakness.

The mortal remains of Prof. Bhat were consigned to the flames at the Beedinagudde Funeral Ground at 6.10 p.m. today by his three sons, Mr. Jayadeva, Mr. Anantha and Mr. Harshavardhana. At 5.55 p.m., a guard of honour was presented by the Udupi District Police. Many admirers of Prof. Bhat and dignitaries were present.

Earlier, Prof. Bhat's body was placed at the Nutana Ravindra Mantap in the MGM College for the people to have a last "darshan." The former State Chief Minister, Mr. M. Veerappa Moily, paid his respects to Prof. Bhat. Mr. U.R. Sabhapathy, MLA, Dr. V.S. Acharya, MLC, Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. Amrit Paul, SP, placed a wreath on the body.

Mr. K.K.Pai, Registrar of the Academy of General Education, Mr. Kayyara Kinhanna Rai, litterateur, Mr. G.Govindaraj, President of the Kannada Sahitya Academy, Prof. Sam Daniel, Principal of the MGM College, Prof. H. Krishna Bhat, Director of the Govinda Pai Research Centre, Prof. N.T. Bhat, Director of the Regional Research Centre (RRC) for Performing Arts, Prof. Rama Bhat, Prof. Ramdas and other dignitaries also paid their last respects.

Prof. Bhat was born in 1924. He took charge as the Principal of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) College in 1964 and served there until 1974. His stewardship saw the college raising to stellar heights. He was the moving force behind the three ancillary units of the college, the Rashtrakavi Govind Pai Research Centre, the Yakshagana Kendra and the RRC.

Prof. Bhat was the Director of the Govind Pai Research Centre from 1965 to 1993; Director of the Yakshagana Kendra from 1971 to 1983 and from 1997 to 2000; and Director of the RRC from 1984 to 2000. He was the Director of the Tulu Lexicon Project undertaken by the Govind Pai Research Centre, which culminated into the Tulu Dictionary after 18 years of intense research. As the Director of the RRC, Prof. Bhat did his utmost to promote the study of the folklore of Karnataka at the national and international level.

An economist and a writer, Prof. Bhat wrote the following books: Arthashastra, Prajantantrada heddari, Ashiyada sampatu, Kannada kattidavaru, Italy nanu kandante, Jagadagala, Rangayana, Abhivyakti, Karanth prapancha and Olave namma baduku.

Prof. Bhat was a visiting professor in many foreign universities. He translated several books of Italian authors into Kannada. Some of them include Ghantamaar, Nadu hagalale kaggatalu, Swatantrya mathu samskriti, Avyakta manava. He wrote a weekly column, "Lokabhirama" in a popular Kannada daily printed from Manipal.

Prof. Bhat received many awards during his lifetime. They included the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award (1982), the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1985), the Finland Award (1986), the Karnataka Janapada Academy Award (1991), the Vishwamanava Award (1989) and the Polali Sheenappa Heggade Award (1999). He was chosen for the first Vajrakumar Award (2000) recently.

Many litterateurs and eminent persons rushed to the hospital and Prof. Bhat's house to pay their last respects to him. In his condolence message, Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Pejawar Math said that he was deeply distressed by the death of Prof. Bhat. The swamiji said Prof. had made invaluable contributions to education, art and literature of the State. Under him the glory of the folkart of Karnataka reached international level. He created public awareness through his thought-provoking speeches and articles.

Dr. V.S.Acharya, MLC, said that Prof. Bhat was a multi-faceted scholar, a great economist and a good teacher, who had deep interest in the folkart of the State. "In his death, the State has lost a genuine thinker and an able educationist," he added.

Mr. U.R.Sabhapathy, MLA, said that Prof. Bhat had rendered invaluable service to the MGM College and the Manipal institutions. He was a socially-conscious writer.

The Chief Minister, Mr. S.M.Krishna has condoled Prof. Bhat's death and recalled his contribution as Director of the Govinda Pai Research Centre, Udupi.

The State BJP President, Mr. Basavaraj Patil Sedam, the Union Minister for Culture, Mr. Anant Kumar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Mr. Jagadish Shettar and Mr. B.S.Yediyurappa, MLC have also condoled his death.

In their condolence messages, Mr. Veerappa Moily and Mr. K.K.Pai recalled their cordial relationship with Mr. Bhat.

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