Congress leader Veerappa Moily pens down epic poem Bahubali in Kannada

NEW DELHI: Congress politician Veerappa Moily, known for his literary skills also, is ready with an epic poem ‘ Bahubali’ in Kannada, narrating the life and times of the Jain saint. Moily had earlier won awards for his two major works.

The 76-year-old leader, who pursues two disparate subjects with equal ease, has neatly compartmentalised the two worlds with discipline and innovative work schedule for nearly 50 years now.

Moily’s earlier epic poem, ‘Sirimudi Parikramana’, written as an autobiography of Draupadi, has won him the acclaimed Saraswati Samman. His another work ‘Ramayana Mahanveshnam’, earned him the prestigious Moortidevi Award, instituted by Bharatiya Jnanpith Organisation.

“Working on the 1,000-page epic poem Bahubali was an exhausting but fulfilling experience. Bahubali’s renunciation of kingdom, his spiritual quest and preaching of peace hold special relevance in today’s world, riddled with conflict. This has inspired me to work on this book, which I have now sent to some scholars for their reviews and it will be formally published in 2017,” Moily told ET.

Alongside ‘Bahubali’, Moily also completed two non-literary works in English — “Quest for Justice” and “Quest for Governance” — detailing the need for reforming the judiciary and administration, based on his experience as a politician, parliamentarian, former chief minister, and ex-union minister.

Asked how he could traverse two such different territories with ease, Moily said, “I have acquired a selftrained method early in my life, which helps me to switch off from the political work, and switch on to my creative world daily without affecting either.”

If his days are consumed by politics, the Congress leader finds time for his literature in the early mornings.

“Every morning, I get busy with literature and write from 4.30 am to 6.30 am. And every night, before sleeping, I work nearly two hours on my nonliterary books,” he said.

About his inspiration, Moily said, “First, my illiterate mother who having noticed my liking for reading and writing since my early years in school used to wake me up early morning and sit with me, watching me read and write. And then my wife, who is the source of support and encouragement.”

For Moily, juggling between politics and looking for his next literary plot has been, and will continue to be, his inspiration and tryst with two very different worlds.