Kannada literature has been a major influence on the broader field of literature in India. With notable poets and authors, Kannada literature has managed to add onto the repertoire of literary works in our country and has also brought forth avant-garde and new age literary movements. The Navodaya, Late Navodaya and the Navya movements in […]
Personalities
Over ages and eras, Karnataka has produced numerous noteworthy personalities who have contributed commendably to the nation in different ways. Famous personalities of Karnataka have made their mark in domains including social work, education, sports, politics, literature, dance, music, cinema and philosophy.
Basavanna, a 12th century philosopher from Karnataka, had spread awareness against caste system through his verses. Another notable personality from the same era, Akka Mahadevi emerged as a leader of the Bhakti movement and she is also one of the earliest female poets of the nation.
Karnataka has produced a number of distinguished scientists like C.N.R. Rao and Narayan Hosmane and respected politicians like George Fernandes, K.C. Reddy and H.D.Deve Gowda, too. Stalwarts of Indian cinema like Aishwarya Rai, Guru Dutt, Deepika Padukone and Prabhu Deva are from Karnataka. Celebrated sports personalities like Prakash Padukone, Mahesh Bhupathi and Rahul Dravid are Kannadigas as well. Read more about eminent personalities from Karnataka
Behind the Curtains – Mahesh Dattani
Mahesh Dattani is considered one of the best Indian playwrights, and he writes his pieces in English. He is an actor, playwright and director. A Look at His Early Years Mahesh Dattani was born on the 7th of August in 1958 in Bangalore, Karnataka. He was educated at Baldwin’s Boys High School and then went […]
The Religious Reformer – Madhvacharya
Madhvacharya was the third of the trinity of philosophers who influenced Indian thoughts after the ages of the Vedas and Puranas. He came after Sri Shankaracharya and Shri Ramanujacharya. He propounded the philosophy of Dwaita or Dualism. A Look at Madhvacharya’s Early Years Shri Madhvacharya was born to Narayana Bhatta and Vedavati in Pajaka, a […]
The Rebel With Kumar Gandharva
Born in 1924, Shivaputra Siddharamaiyya Komkali came to be called Kumar Gandharva, as gandharvas are mythical spirits in Hindu mythology with a flair for music. Though a contemporary of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, he never achieved the same mass appeal because of his unorthodox experimentation with his style of music, but he was an acclaimed singer […]
Kengel Hanumanthaiah – The Political Powerhouse
Kengel Hanumanthaiah was the second Chief Minister of Mysore State from 30th March 1952 to 19th August 1956. He was the main force behind the construction of the Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore. Kengel Hanumanthaiah succeeded K. Chengalaraya Reddy as CM of Karnataka. A Short Biography of Kengel Hanumanthaiah Kengel Hanumanthaiah was born on February 14, 1908, in a Vokkaliga family […]
The Radical Poet – Kanaka Dasa
Kanaka Dasa (1509-1609) was a great poet musician of Karnataka, in the tradition of Purandara Dasa. He belonged to the Kurube Gowda community, who were warriors. He later turned to the Haridasa tradition and became a poet who composed beautiful lyrics in Kannada. His Early Life and Childhood Kanaka Dasa’s original name was Thimmappa Nayaka. […]
A Playwright With a Cause – K.V. Subbanna
K.V. Subbanna is one of the most acclaimed dramatists from the state of Karnataka who’s known in a national level. His Early Years and Career Kantugodu Vibhuthi Subbanna or K.V.Subbanna was born into a Vibhuthi family in 1932, in the Shimoga District of Karnataka. He was born in a family that appreciated all forms of […]
The Popular Novelist – K. Shivarama Karanth
K. Shivarama Karanth was a famous Kannada novelist playwright, environmentalist, social activist and film-maker. Ramachandra Guha once fittingly hailed Shivarama Karanth as the ‘Rabindranath Tagore of Modern India’ for being the exceptional writer and social activist that he was. His Early Life and Initial Years Shivarama was born to Shesha Karanth and Lakshmi in Kota, […]
The Father of the Indian Army – Field Marshal K M Cariappa
Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, hailing from Kodagu district of Karnataka, is best known as the first Commander-In-Chief of the army of independent India. He has often been described as ‘The Father of the Indian Army’. He was born on the 28th of January 1899. His Early Years Cariappa was one among the six children […]
The Indian Juggernaut – Javagal Srinath
When Javagal Srinath first caught the eye of the Indian cricket fan, he had a tough act to follow. He was expected to fit into the shoes of the hugely popular Kapil Dev. Javagal Srinath did that and more. By retiring from international cricket, he had bagged 236 Test wickets and 315 one-day international wickets. […]