<p>If the term oxymoron had to be attributed to a person, Sarekoppa Bangarappa was a fit case. Be it his chequered political career, or his socialist roots and flamboyant lifestyle or his penchant for fitness and love for good food.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The one time chief minister of the state, experienced it all to the hilt, leaving literally nothing for his rivals. His followers loved him for everything that he was, even after he often changed his ‘party’ destinations. And, this new year’s eve, he ensured his destination was full and final, and there he went.<br /><br />When he finished his life’s journey, the city which had seen him in different avatars, lost a connoisseur in him. As a student, Bangarappa studied at Maharaja’s College in 1950s. In the city, he had his preferences too. And, they didn’t change even after his political career skyrocketed. <br /><br />During his visit to city, he sometimes visited the college campus that had conditioned him to appreciate finer things in life such as sports, reading and music. In this campus, the socialist in him had found an ideology to stick on to, for the rest of his life. After a nostalgic trip when he left the campus, he was known to generously tip the security guards. “Keep it,” he would insist if anyone hesitated from accepting the money.<br /><br />Be it playing rounds of shuttle badminton at Cosmopolitan Club in the city, or tucking in bonda soup, thair vada (referred to as dahi vada) and sometimes the crispy masale dosa along with a small portion of badami halwa wrapped in butter paper, washing it down with a tall glass of steaming filter coffee at Ramya Drive In Restaurant on Radhakrishna Avenue; situated right next to CC (abbreviation for Cosmopolitan Club).<br /><br /> Even his press conferences were held at Ramya Hotel, after a leisurely closure to the dosa and vada session and with piping hot coffee in hand when he would reiterate his ‘being’. “I may have changed parties, like I change my clothes. But, remember, the man inside is always the same,” he famously said.<br />In a way, his friends recollect his subsequent ‘moves’ were planned over food, a hearty meal coupled with good drinks at that. <br /><br />His love for food from Ramya Hotel continued all through his life, and he had influenced many actors, politicians and friends from all walks of life to ‘taste bonda soup at Ramya’. Speaking to Deccan Herald, hotel owner G G Mahendra said the former CM had been visiting the hotel since almost three decades. “No matter where he stayed, whenever he visited the city, he ensured his men always took breakfast from our hotel,” he recollected, stating he was shocked to hear about the demise of the political leader in the morning.<br /><br />Condolences<br /><br />In a statement released to the press, Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra expressed condolences at the passing away of a political leader. Stating that Bangarappa had attainted greater heights in politics at a very young age, the seer said Bangarappa had hailed from Socialist background and was also patronised arts and music. “He had shared great affinity with the Suttur mutt. In his demise, state has lost the most loved son,” said the statement.<br /><br />MP R Dhruvanarayan said Bangarappa was a multi-faceted personality with talent in culture, literature and sports despite being a politician. “Ashraya and Aradhana programmes conceived by him are popular even now. The state has lost a friendly and experienced politician.” Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna has expressed her condolences.<br /></p>
<p>If the term oxymoron had to be attributed to a person, Sarekoppa Bangarappa was a fit case. Be it his chequered political career, or his socialist roots and flamboyant lifestyle or his penchant for fitness and love for good food.<br /><br /></p>.<p> The one time chief minister of the state, experienced it all to the hilt, leaving literally nothing for his rivals. His followers loved him for everything that he was, even after he often changed his ‘party’ destinations. And, this new year’s eve, he ensured his destination was full and final, and there he went.<br /><br />When he finished his life’s journey, the city which had seen him in different avatars, lost a connoisseur in him. As a student, Bangarappa studied at Maharaja’s College in 1950s. In the city, he had his preferences too. And, they didn’t change even after his political career skyrocketed. <br /><br />During his visit to city, he sometimes visited the college campus that had conditioned him to appreciate finer things in life such as sports, reading and music. In this campus, the socialist in him had found an ideology to stick on to, for the rest of his life. After a nostalgic trip when he left the campus, he was known to generously tip the security guards. “Keep it,” he would insist if anyone hesitated from accepting the money.<br /><br />Be it playing rounds of shuttle badminton at Cosmopolitan Club in the city, or tucking in bonda soup, thair vada (referred to as dahi vada) and sometimes the crispy masale dosa along with a small portion of badami halwa wrapped in butter paper, washing it down with a tall glass of steaming filter coffee at Ramya Drive In Restaurant on Radhakrishna Avenue; situated right next to CC (abbreviation for Cosmopolitan Club).<br /><br /> Even his press conferences were held at Ramya Hotel, after a leisurely closure to the dosa and vada session and with piping hot coffee in hand when he would reiterate his ‘being’. “I may have changed parties, like I change my clothes. But, remember, the man inside is always the same,” he famously said.<br />In a way, his friends recollect his subsequent ‘moves’ were planned over food, a hearty meal coupled with good drinks at that. <br /><br />His love for food from Ramya Hotel continued all through his life, and he had influenced many actors, politicians and friends from all walks of life to ‘taste bonda soup at Ramya’. Speaking to Deccan Herald, hotel owner G G Mahendra said the former CM had been visiting the hotel since almost three decades. “No matter where he stayed, whenever he visited the city, he ensured his men always took breakfast from our hotel,” he recollected, stating he was shocked to hear about the demise of the political leader in the morning.<br /><br />Condolences<br /><br />In a statement released to the press, Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra expressed condolences at the passing away of a political leader. Stating that Bangarappa had attainted greater heights in politics at a very young age, the seer said Bangarappa had hailed from Socialist background and was also patronised arts and music. “He had shared great affinity with the Suttur mutt. In his demise, state has lost the most loved son,” said the statement.<br /><br />MP R Dhruvanarayan said Bangarappa was a multi-faceted personality with talent in culture, literature and sports despite being a politician. “Ashraya and Aradhana programmes conceived by him are popular even now. The state has lost a friendly and experienced politician.” Mayor Pushpalatha Chikkanna has expressed her condolences.<br /></p>
