Malpe Somashekar Bhat, affectionately known as Somanna, was a prominent figure in Udupi's political and business communities. He played a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Udupi district, earning him the title "Bhishma Pitamaha" of BJP in Udupi district.
His political journey began with the Jana Sangh era, and his dedication to the party was evident throughout his life. In 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally inquired about his health, underscoring Bhat's significance within the party. Bhat's close association with Dr. V S Acharya further highlighted his influential role in the region's political landscape. His legacy of dedicated service to the BJP and the community at large is fondly remembered by many.
Somanna’s father Late Sri Vaman Bhat hailed from the coastal village of Malpe. His wife was Gangubai. They had a big family of 10 children (5 boys and 5 girls). In order to take care of his family, Vaman Bhat moved to Udupi in search of better living. He was a true follower of Mahatma Gandhi involving himself deeply in social work and always wore Khadi.
Into this family a great entrepreneur was born on April 15, in 1935. His name was Somashekhar, who would eventually be called by everybody by the name Somanna. From the young age of 6, he grew up in the shadows of RSS. This association has impacted his life so deep; he became a Swayamsevak all his life and it remained his life’s mission too. The prominent figures of Sangh Parivar like Gujjadi Narasimha Kamath and Padmanabha Acharya (who later became the Governor of Assam state) were his mentors. When a branch office of Sangh was opened in Udupi, he became a key person in setting up the activities in Udupi. He adapted the key line of the Sangh prayer “ Thwadeeyaya Karyaya baddha kateeyam” as the motto of his life and dedicated his life to the service of Bharath Matha.
After coming in to close contact with Pandit Deen Dayal Sharma, the second President of RSS, during his student days, he became active in political arena through Jana Sangh, the political outfit of RSS, which later on evolved in to the leading party of India – BJP. Along with that he joined VHP, Akhila Bharatheeya Vidyarthi Parishad, Bharatheeya Mazdoor Sangh and rose to the level of becoming a mentor and guide to the younger generations. He dedicated his life to the service of the nation till his last breath.
However, Somanna’s early childhood was not at all a bed of roses. With difficult situations staring at his family, he could only finish SSLC exams and couldn’t continue. So, at the young age of 16 years, his entrepreneurial streak made him to venture out to start a small industry by name “Sri Krishna Flour Mills” at Udupi and started earning his livelihood. At that time his hard work and entrepreneurial nature drew the attention of two prominent Professors of MGM college, Udupi- Prof.Ku.Shi. Haridas Bhat and Prof.B.V. Acharya, who persuaded him to join the college in commerce stream. This gave him a wonderful opportunity to learn & earn. He studied at the college and also worked at his floor mill and earned his degree B.com.
After his degree, he moved to Madikeri and started a business there. At that time Sri.Su. Ramanna came to madikeri as a zilla pracharak, where he met Somanna and also came in to contact with B. Vaman Bhat (LIC) in promoting Sangh Pracharak work. Somanna was greatly inspired by Sri. Pa. Pu. Guruji, the Sar Sangh Chalak of RSS, who visited Madikeri during that period. He became the secretary of Janasnagh at madikeri.
From Madikeri, he relocated to Udupi and involved himself fully in the party work along with Dr.V.S. Acharya another young, prominent Janasangh leader of Udupi. With their hard work, both of them along with thousands of dedicated workers of Janasangh, won the prominent election to Udupi Municipality in 1968, where as at that time only other Municipality won by Janasangh was in Dehi!.
Somanna was a visionary administrator. From being a member, he rose to the position of President of Udupi Municipality in 1985. Under his able leadership, Udupi Municipality received “Best Municipality “award with Rs.5.00 lacs as prize money. He undertook path breaking development plans for Udupi, which even today remain as a tribute for his vision. His contribution to development of Udupi was immense and unparalleled. Be it cultural, spiritual, or political, his foot prints are visible even today. His leadership.
Somanna was a beacon of light for thousands of swayam sevaks and dedicated workers of Sangha in the coastal town of Udupi. He was a icon of selfless dedication and love for the country. He was a role model for the young generation who chose the path of nation building, traversing on the path he has carved out for national pride as a tribute to his vision and leadership.
It was in 1966, the year which transformed the outlook of the industrial entrepreneurship in the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada district by the visionary young man, Somanna, who laid a strong foundation for the future through Varun Group of Industries.
Being a graduate in Commerce, his zeal and innovative mind guided him to venture out in the field of industrial production. He chose to set up a plastic production unit, a first of its kind in Udupi, by name Plastubex Corporation for manufacturing plastic bags in Udupi. Later, he shifted his unit to Manipal establishing Varun Pipes, Ganga Pipes and Sindhu Pipes, with the support of his sons. He became a well-known small industrial entrepreneur and was recognized by the Central Govt. of India, which appointed him as a member of Board of directors of State Bank of India as a small-scale industries representative. He became a pioneer in producing low density polyethylene pipes and lay flat tubing. His commerce background backed by his engineering prowess enabled him to expand his market networks beyond Udupi to other districts.
In spite of his total dedication to social work and entrepreneurship, he found time to choose a life partner to support his vision. In 1969, he married Sharada Bhat from Katapadi, who supported her husband’s social ideologies and contributed immensely becoming a true hostess and mother to all the swayam sevaks who flocked their house seeking guidance from Somanna. Their house “Nalanda” became a virtual university for learning, for thousands of dedicated workers on the coastal belt.
He had three children- Chittaranjan, Vallbh and Chandrika. The two sons became flag bearers of his vision. The little acorn he had sown in 1966 has grown in to a huge tree through relentless hard work with strong vision and ethical values by his sons Chitharanjan and Vallabh, moving Varun Plastics from a small shed, expanding it and now shifting the entire factory to a large, spacious industrial complex near Hiriadka.
Beyond politics, Bhat was an astute entrepreneur, founding Varun Piping Systems. He also served as the Director of Kunjibettu Consumers Multipurpose Cooperative Society, showcasing his commitment to local economic development.
He passed away on February 4, 2024, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service. Bhat's vision and dedication have left an indelible mark on the region's industrial and social landscape, fostering growth and development for future generations to follow.
