Mysuru: Well-known novelist and writer SL Bhyrappa said culturally India is one and until we understand the Himalayas and epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, it’s not possible to know the country.At a one-on-one interaction with noted Marathi writer and journalist Shefali Vaidya as part of the Bhyrappa Sahityotsava here on Saturday, he said culturally and philosophically India is one. "In-depth reading and travelling across the country will give us this idea. Until we visit the Himalayas, it’s not possible to understand India," he said.It’s the second Bhyrappa Sahityotsava in the state and the first in the city.The interaction turned philosophical with Vaidya raising the major theme in the majority of his novels viz Truth vs Beauty. "I always stand with truth. I won’t do injustice to any character in the name of beauty," he said."Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan is often glorified in literature. These glorifications are factually wrong. If we encounter the author, he says it should be seen only as drama. But I will not do this," he said.Replying to a question by Vaidya, Bhyrappa said he’s not anti-women. "All my women characters are very strong. All the roles are given justice. While many are imaginary, a few are real," he said, adding, "All my women characters, including Sita of ‘Uttara Kaanda’, are very strong."False allegations against HinduismWith reference to current problems of the country, he said it’s wrong to blame everything on Hinduism. "How can Hinduism be the reason for farmers' woes? How can Ram Mandir construction be connected to local problems? Why must one relate the two issues?” he said.He added, "In the pre-Independence era, there was no farm distress even though the country was ruled by the British. Now, we need to question why farmers are committing suicide today."He said that as a novelist, he changed techniques after the novel ‘Parva’ was published in 1979. "Vamsha Vriksha published in 1965 helped me as a novelist. I changed my technique after ‘Parva’ and started with my previous novel ‘Anveshana’ (1976). In ‘Avarana’ published in 2007, I changed the technique further," he said.Regarding criticism which is not liked by many contemporary writers he said he ignores it. "It’s a waste of time and creativity," he said.

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