List of Lingayats

Lingayats

File:B D Jatti.jpg Basava · B.D.Jatti Shivraj Patil · Baba Kalyani Prabhu Deva
Regions with significant populations
India Other significant population centers:
Languages
Kannada · Marathi · Telugu
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan peoples · Dravidian

This is a list of notable Lingayats also called Veerashaivas, the largest community of Karnataka. Lingayats are also found in considerable numbers in surrounding states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and also other parts of India and abroad.

Historical rulers

• Kittur Chennamma(1778–1829) - queen of the princely state of Kittur in Karnataka. She led an armed rebellion against the British in response to the Doctrine of lapse.
• Nolamba Dynasty - Southern Indian Ruling Dynasty.
• South Kalachuri kingdom.
• Sangama Dynasty
• Keladi Dynasty
• Bukka Raya I
• Harihara Raya II
• Virupaksha Raya
• Bukka Raya II
• Deva Raya I
• Ramachandra Raya
• Vira Vijaya Bukka Raya
• Deva Raya II
• Mallikarjuna Raya
• Virupaksha Raya II
• Praudha Raya

Philanthropists

• Raobahadoor Dharmapravartaka Gubbi Totadappa, founder of Totadappanavara Dharmachatra and Hostel (1897) beside City Railway Station, Bangalore, donor for the road opposite City Railway station named after him.
• Sir. K. P. Puttanna Chetty. Bengaluru City Town Hall named after him.
• Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji - Head of Siddaganga Mutt.
• Shri Shri Jagadguru Mate Mahadevi - Basava Dharma Peetha (R), Mahamane Mahamatha, Koodala Sangama.
• Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswamiji - Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmath, Sirigere.
• Jagadguru Sri Shivarathriswara - JSS math, Mysore.

Saints

• Basavanna- reformer of Lingayatism.
• Allama Prabhu
• Akka Mahadevi
• Channabasavanna
• Siddharama, of solapur, Maharashtra.
• Sarvajna - Kannada poet.
• Yediyur Siddhalinga
• Palkuriki Somanatha
• Chamarasa
• Kirupanandha Variyar

Education

• Justice P. Mahadevayya, founder of SJRC group of Institutions, Ananda Rao Circle, Karnataka's first private Intermediate college (1945), first Law College.
• D. M. Nanjundappa, Noted economist from Karnataka, Vice-chancellor of Bangalore University and Karnataka University.
• R. C. Hiremath - was a professor of Kannada and the vice-chancellor of Karnataka University, Dharwar.
• H. S. Shivaprakash, is a leading poet and playwright writing in Kannada. He is professor at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, currently serving as the dean of the school.
• D. C. Pavate,Padma Bhushan and former vice Chancellor of Karnataka University and Governor of Punjab.
• A. S. Adke,former vice-chancellor of Karnataka University and former Principal of Karnataka Regional Engineering College,Surathkal.

Science and technology

• Dr. MC Modi, famous eye surgeon and Padmashri and Padmabhushan award winner.
• Sharan Patil - philanthropist and orthopaedic surgeon.
• Dr. Anand Kumar Kodliwadmath, M.B.B.S. (KU), D.A. (Bombay)
• Dr. S. P. Hiremath- V C Kuvempu University, Shankar Ghatta, Shivamuga Karnatak from 18th Jan 1999 19th Jan 2002
• S.J. Nagalotimath, medical scientist.
• Sachin Vishwanathappa Rodge, Software Designer, Royal Bank of Scotland.

Literature

• Hardekar Manjappa,Known as Gandhi of Karnataka.
• Justice T. N. Mallappa, High Court of Karnataka, VEda VEdaanta Vidyaa Vaachaspathi, author of 13 books in Kannada on Veda, Upanishats, Vachanas & Veerashaivism.
• G. S. Shivarudrappa, poet and critic, Rashtra Kavi.
• Panchakshari Hiremath, writer and noted poet, short story writer, essayist, critic, translator, orator, editor and freedom fighter who writes in Kannada, Urdu and Hindi.
• Chandrasekhar Kambar, famous poet and playwright.
• Dr. Siddayya Puranik (Kavyananda), IAS, famous Kannada poet.
• M. Chidananda Murthy, Kannada writer, researcher and historian.
• Go. Ru. Channabasappa, Writer and critic, President, Akhila Bharatha Sharana Saahithya Parishath.
• Patil Puttappa, renowed Kannada activist
• Nijaguna Shivayogi, 15th century Kannada poet.
• P. Lankesh, writer and journalist, writing in the Kannada language.
• Jayadevi Taayi Ligade, first lady chief of akhila Bharatha Kannada saahitya sammelana.
• M. M. Kalburgi,kannada writer and historian.
• L. Basavaraju,Kannada Scholar.

Art and music

• Basavaraj Rajguru, Classical Musician
• Mallikarjun Mansur, Classical Musician.
• Kumar Gandharva, Hindustani musician.
• Pandit Puttaraj Gawai, Hindustani and classical musician.
• Pandit Prabhudev Sardar, top ranking All India Radio Hindustani classical artist, gifted with rich and powerful voice.
• Gubbi Veeranna,theatre director
• Balappa Hukkeri,Folk Singer.
• Rajashekhar Mansur,Classical Musician.

Law and justice

• Justice. P. Mahadevayya, Rajadharmapraveena, Diwanbahadur, the first Kannadiga Chief Justice of Mysore 1931-1934
• Justice M. Sadasivayya, Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka, S/O Chief Justice. P. Mahadevayya
• Justice M. Sadananda Swamy, Chief Justice of High Court of Guwahati, S/O Chief Justice. P. Mahadevayya.
• Justice. T. N. Mallappa, High Court of Karnataka.
• Justice V. S. Malimath, Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka and Kerala.
• Justice Shivaraj Patil, Judge, High Court of Karnataka, Chief Justice of Rajastan and Judge, Supreme Court of India.
• Justice S. R. Bannurmath, Chief Justice of Kerala
• Justice K.A. Swami, Chief Justice of Madras High Court.

Politics

• Basappa Danappa Jatti
  • President of India
  • Vice President of India
  • Chief Minister of Karnataka
  • Governor of Orissa
  • Lt. Governor of Pondicherry
• Shivraj Patil
  • Home Minister of India- 2004–2008
  • Speaker of Lok Sabha- 1991–1996
  • Minister of Defence- 15 January 1980 –2 December 1989
  • Governor of Punjab, January 2010 – Present
  • Governor of Rajasthan, acting- April 2010 – Present
  • Administrator of Chandigarh, January 2010 – Present
• Vinay Kore, born October 4 1971, Sangli, Maharashtra. He is the leader of the Jan Surajya Shakti Party of Warananagar, Maharashtra, India. Minister of Non-Conventional Energy & Horticulture, Govt. of Maharashtra. He is the Chairman of the Warana Group of Industries.
• S. Nijalingappa, Freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, played important roles in both the Indian independence movement and the Karnataka Ekikarana movement.
• Gudlappa Hallikeri, Freedom fighter and former Chairman of Legislative Council, was a prominent leader from North Karnataka, a Gandhian who led the Indian Independence Movement.
• S. R. Bommai, senior leader Janatha Dal and former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• S. R. Kanthi, former Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• Veerendra Patil, former Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• Jayadevappa Halappa Patel, former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• B. S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Jagadish Shettar, Speaker, Government of Karnataka
• Suresh Angadi, MP Belgaum.
• SIDDHARAM SATLINGAPPA MHETRE, former Minister of State for Home, Jail and Horticulture maharashtra..
• M. V. Rajasekharan, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning, Government of India.
• Sidramappa N. Allure Guruji, Ex-MLA, Osmanabad District, Social worker
• Late Shri P.M. Nadagouda, Ex. Co-operative Minister of Karnataka.
• Murugesh Nirani, Minister for Industries, Government of Karnataka.
• M. P. Prakash, Congress Leader and Farmer Dy Chief Minister of Karnataka
• M. Rajashekar Murthy, Senior Congress Leader and Former Finance Minister of Karnataka
• Basavaraj Patil Yetnal, Senior BJP Leader, MP and Former Union Minister of India
• S. A. Ravindranath, minister for Horticulture and Sugar, government of Karnataka.
• Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeswara, MP Davangere.
• Smt.Basavarajeswari, Senior Congress Leader, EX-MP and Former Union Minister of India
• Basavaraj Patil Anwari, Senior Congress Leader, EX-MP and Former Union Minister of India
• Smt. K. S. Nagarathnamma, Senior Congress Leader, Former Minister and opposition party leader in Assembly
• C M Udasi, Senior BJP Leader, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Karnataka State Assembly.
• S. Mallikarjunaiah, Senior BJP Leader, MP and former Deputy Speaker of Parliament
• Babugowda Patil, Senior BJP Leader, former MP and Union Minister of India
• Pramila Nesargi, Senior BJP Leader and State Women’s Commission Chairperson
• B. Y. Raghavendra, MP Shimoga and son of CM B. S. Yeddyurappa.
• A.S. Posetty, Lawyer, senior TRS Leader. Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh
• Bhimanna Khandre, senior Congress Leader, former Minister in Karnataka Assembly, former President of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha.
• Dr M.P Nadagouda, Member, Legislative Council (M.L.C)
• Late G. Mallikarjunappa, former MP.
• Late Basavarajeshwari.former union manister.
• Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, MLA, Davanagere South and senior leader, Indian National Congress, ex-MLA Davangere Constituency (1994–1998), ex-MP Davangere Constituency (12th Lok Sabha, 1998–99)
• Shri. Shamanur S. Mallikarjun, Former Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Government of Karnataka
• Dr Neeraj Patil, Mayor of Lambeth.
• Late Shri Agadi Sanganna, Former MP and Chairman, Karnataka Housing Board.
• Late Dr.V.V. Tegginmani, Former Chairman KLE Society Belgaum and First elected Mayor of Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation.

Business

• Sri. M. Sachidananda Moorthy, I. A. S. Trade Agent of Mysore in England, First M.D. Hiranyakeshi Co-op Sugar Factory, Sankeshwar, Founder Chairman, NGEF Ltd.Bangalore, Chairman KEB, ( S/O/ Justice. P. Mahadevayya)
• Vinay Kore (born October 4, 1971, Sangli, Maharashtra) is the leader of the Jan Surajya Shakti Party of Warananagar, Maharashtra, India.He is the Chairman of the Warana Group, Tatyasaheb Kore was the first one to bring a sugar factory to the area nearly 50 years ago. Now its turnover is around Rs 250 crore.
• Vijay Sankeshwar, former MP, founder of VRL logistic ltd and VRL Group.
• Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeswara, MP and head of GM group.
• Ashok Kheny, Award winner, Head of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Project (NICE)
• Nilkanthrao Kalyani, Industrialist
• Baba Kalyani of Bharat Forge and Kalyani Group.
• Sangamesh V.K., Famous Industrialist
• Somashekar Patil, Famous Industrialist
• Ashok S Humbarawadi, Iron man, Famous Industrialist
• Prabhakar B. Kore, Karnatak Lingayat Education Society (The biggest Education society in the state) Chairman, MP and former minister.
• Murugesh Nirani of Nirani Group.
• R.P.Jagadeesha, Former editor Prajavani, Present Media advisor to Chief minister of Karnataka (Famous Journalist)
• Umesh Vaidyamath,founder & Chief Executive Officer of INSZoom.

Media and entertainment

• Late M. P. Shankar, veteran Kannada film actor and director.
• Doddanna, veteran Kannada actor.
• Manjula (Kannada actress)
• B.C. Patil, famous Kannada actor.
• Prabhu deva, famous Indian actor,known as Indian Michael Jackson.
• Mugur Sundar,famous Indian Director.
• Raju Sundaram,famous Tamil actor.
• Nagendra Prasad,actor.
• Gubbi Veeranna,theatre director
• Chindodi Leela ,Theater Artist.
• B.Sarojadevi, famous actress.
• Shriya Saran, famous actress.

Others

• shankar bidari, Bangalore Commissioner of Police.
• Vijayalakshmi Bidari, Indian Administrative Service topper for the year 2001.
• Vijayendra Bidari, IPS officer.
• Rtn.Dayananda A Biradar - Past President Rotary Bangalore Central

References

Padmashree R M B Aradhya