Shivarudrappa was the successor to Kuvempu: CPK

“G S Shivarudrappa, a student of Kuvempu, was among a few, who imbibed the ideals of his teacher. Reasoning abilities and a sense of humanitarianism was a part of his personality, learnt directly from Kuvempu,” recalled writer C P Krishnakumar, a student of Shivarudrappa. He was the true successor to the literary tradition of Kuvempu, he said.

The influence of Kuvempu, in earlier works of G S Shivarudrappa, is striking. Even though he could come out of his literary influence, Shivarudrappa could not escape the influence of Kuvempu’s personality, which was an inspiration for him, he said.

Describing Kuvempu as the link between Shivarudrappa and Mysore, Krishnakumar said, even though he had shifted to Bangalore, he was mentally a part of Mysore. “When he was working on his doctoral thesis, he was a regular at the University library. The Maharaja College library, one of his favourite places in the city, and his friends in Mysore, wove an integral link with the poet and the city,” he said.

Krishnakumar said, Shivardrappa was a teacher to him in three phases of life. “He was my teacher while studying intermediate courses at Shimoga. I came to study B A (Honors) in Mysore, where he was appointed as a lecturer. When I joined post-graduation studies at Manasagangothri, he was teaching there. I don’t know whether I followed him or he followed me. But, it ensured a very good relationship,” he said.

He added that Shivarudrappa had greatly influenced him during his early days. “When I told him about it, he requested me to try and avoid being influenced by his works. However, both in criticism and poetry, he remains an influence,” he added.