The last rites was performed on Wednesday.

University of Mysore Vice Chancellor Prof V G Talawar visited his residence and paid his last respect. Former MP and scion Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar a student of
Thotappa has also condoled his death.

Profile: Thotappa was born on March 28, 1926 near Nanjangud to Yediyura Shetty and Gurusiddamma.

He had his primary education at Kudlapur and high school at Nanjangud. He did his BA honours course and completed his MA in political science in 1947.

He was appointed as lecturer in political science at Maharaja’s college in August 1948 and started his teaching career.

He also served as its principal for two years. He was head of the department of political science, Manasagangothri and also a senate and syndicate member of the University of Mysore.

Former Karnataka State Open University dean and advisor to Maharaja Institute of Higher Education Prof Chambi Puranik , one of his students told Deccan Herald that Thotappa had the distinction of having two PhDs one from Bombay University and another from Chicago.

Feat

He was the first head of the department of political science when it was bifurcated from History department in the year 1955, he recalled.

D V Urs who went on to become the vice chancellor of University of Mysore was also his student. He was also one of the persons instrumental in starting the Institute of Correspondence and Continuing Education.