"Hasanmukhi ...Sadha..Sukhi". (A man with a smiling face is ever a Happy person)
To our family, he was "Byahatti Mama", his signature smiling face - Full of Warmth and affection, always kind and well-wishing. Our first meeting was at the time of my wedding with his neice "Aavi" in 1981 at Davangere and instantaneously struck a chord of awe and respect for his personality. He was popularly known in close family circle as Appu Anna and Appu Mama.
My association with Shri. Chandappa Patelji - Pramilakka's father- further drew our families closer. It was our permanent itenerary to visit the Byahatti mama while in the US and their hospitality- a sweet experience to remember a life time. My wife Shivaleela (Aavi), Sons- Dr.Chinmaya(Perth-Aus) and Tejeshwara(Boz-MT) join me with deep sorrow to mourn his demise and offer prayers for his Glorious soul to rest in Peace.
He was a Life member of Basava Samithi, Bangalore. To pay homage , the samithi organised "V.G.Byahatti Shraddanjali Sabha" on Saturday, March 14th at Arivinamane Hall, Basava Bhavana. It was attended by the members of the Byahatti family from Naragund, Hubli, Miraj & Bangalore. Mr. & Mrs. Chandappa Patel, M/s. Poornima & K. Jairaj, Topiwala Medical college Mumbai friends Drs. Shantharam & Heggade, Kheny brothers, Yavagal family and large number of friends and young relatives.
His Holiness Shri. Mallikarjuna Devaru of Sri. Sarpabhushana Mutt presided. President Basava Samithi Shri. Aravind Jatti paid rich tribute. He felt a person of Dr.V.G.Byahatti's personality deserves to be included in the "Veerashaiva Punya Purushara Grantha maale". The service began with the Vachana recital by the visually challenged students from Pt.Puttaraj Gavai School in Bangalore and concluded by "Pushpanjali" to the portrait of Dr.V.G.Byahatti mama by the participants, under the shloka recital by the Swamiji. Contributions were made to the Gavai school in Dr.V.G.Byahatti mama's memory.
OM SHANTHI
Prabhudeva J. Chigateri, Hon. Gen. Secy., Basava Samithi, Bangalore, INDIA.
