With Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur and Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Basavaraj Rajaguru formed the Dharwad trinity of musicians. He received numerous awards and an honorary doctorate from Karnataka University. He had comprehensive knowledge of nearly 40 ragas, and his repertoire included Ghazals, Thumris and Khayals. Basavaraj Rajaguru, born on the 24th of August 1917, was had the […]
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
The Master of Hindustani Music – Bhimsen Joshi
Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was a classical singer from the Hindustani school of music who won acclaim for his rendition of devotional songs and khayals. He was a prolific stage performer and recorded many renditions of Abhangs and thumris. His Childhood Musical Inclination Born Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi in the Gadag district of Karnataka on […]
The Father of Lingayatism – Basavanna
Basavanna was a 12th century philosopher, social reformer and preacher whose teachings are cherished not only by Karnataka but the whole country. As a vehement social reformer, Basavanna had to suffer a lot at the hand of traditionalists but with the other reformers of his time, he started one of the greatest religious movements in […]
The Legendary Cartoonist – B.V. Ramamurthy
B.V. Ramamurthy was a renowned cartoonist whose cartoons were published in newspapers across Karnataka. Not only was B.V. Ramamurthy a good cartoonist, he also had a good knowledge of English and Kannada. His cartoons were published daily in major local newspapers like Deccan Herald, Prajavani, Mayura, and Sudha. The tribulations of Mr. Citizen have been […]
The Man Behind the New Wave – B.V. Karanth
There are many luminaries in the arts scene in Karnataka, but none brighter than Padma Shri B.V. Karanth. He was an alumnus of the National School of Drama, where he served as Director in his later years. His Initial Years and Education Initially, he entered the world of theater and performing arts at the tender […]
The Spin Wizard – B S Chandrashekhar
A right wrist withered by polio was converted into a weapon that struck fear in the hearts of batsmen across the world. This fact can give inkling about the kind of determination with which ace spinning legend B S Chandrashekhar faces life. The Beginning of the Journey Bhagwath Subramanya Chandrashekhar was born on May 17, […]
The Man Behind Wipro – Azim Premji
In the 1960s, Western India Vegetable Products Ltd was just another company that manufactured hydrogenated vegetable oils and fats. A few decades later, things had changed drastically. The company transformed into Wipro Ltd and entered unchartered territories. It had expanded, diversified into new arenas, and had been catapulted into the big league of Indian companies. […]
The King of Spin – Anil Kumble
It’s a name that conjures up an image of steely determination hidden behind a façade of courtly gentlemanliness. As one of India’s top sports persons, Anil Kumble has won accolades and applause for his demeanor and performance both on and off the field. The Initial Days of His Journey Anil Kumble was born on October […]
The Rebel Star of Southern Cinema – Ambarish
Ambarish is one of the few actors in the Kannada film industry who has a huge fan following in the state, especially in the Mandya District. He is also often called as Mandyada Gandu and Rebel Star. His Early Life and Childhood Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath, better known as Ambarish, was born on the 29th […]
An Epitome of Feminism – Akka Mahadevi
Mahadevi was given the title Akka (the elder Sister) by the great Veerashaiva saints of that time like Basavanna, Allamaprabhu, Kinnari Bommayya, Siddharama, and Dasimayya who were contemporaries of Akka during the Bhakti movement that was underway. The Early Years of Akka Mahadevi Akka Mahadevi was born at Udutadi in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka in 1150 […]