List of Lingayats

Lingayats

Regions with significant populations
India Other significant population centers:  United States  United Kingdom  Australia
Languages
Kannada Marathi Telugu Konkani Tulu Tamil Malayalam Hindi
Religion
Lingayatism
Related ethnic groups
Indo-Aryan peoples Dravidian

Lingayat /ˈlɪŋɡɑːjʌθ/, also known as Veerashaiva /ˈviːrʌʃaɪvʌ/, are a community in India that adhere to the Shaivite faith of Lingayatism. This is a list of notable Lingayats:^[1][2][3]

Saints

• Basavanna,^[4]
• Allama Prabhu^[5]
• Akka Mahadevi^[6]
• Channabasavanna^[7]
• Devar Dasimayya^[8]
• Madivala Machideva^[9]
• Siddharama, of solapur, Maharashtra.
• Yediyur Siddhalingeshwara^[10]
• Viswabandhu Marulasiddha^[11]
• Sri Revanna Siddeshwara Swamy^[12]
• Sri Danamma Devi,^[13] of Guddapura, Maharashtra.

Historical rulers

• Kittur Chennamma(1778–1829)^[14] – famous queen of the princely state of Kitturu, Karnataka, fought againist Doctrine of lapse.
• Nolamba Dynasty – Southern Indian Ruling Dynasty.
• South Kalachuri kingdom.
• Belawadi Mallamma^[15]
• Kakatiya dynasty^{[16][17][17][18]} - South Indian kingdom based from Warangal.
• Rudrama Devi,^[19]- Kakatiya dynasty Queen.
• Haleri Kings^[20] of Madikeri.
• Linga Rajendra II - Haleri king of Kodagu,
• Chikka Virarajendra,^[21] last ruler of Madikeri.
• Sangama Dynasty^[22]
• Keladi Nayaka Kingdom^[23]
• Keladi Chennamma^[23]
• Shivappa Nayaka^[23]
• 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 Devaraya.^[24]

Philanthropists

• Dr. Shri Shri Shivakumara Swamiji – head of Siddaganga Matha, Padma Bhushan awardee.^[25]
• Dr. Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswamiji – Taralabalu Jagadguru Brihanmath, Sirigere.
• Siddharudha Swami – great Hindu mystic.
• Dagadushet Gadave - Founder of Dagadushet Halwai Ganapati Temple in Pune,
• Basavaraja Devaru - Head of Mansur Revanasiddeshwar Mutt,
• Sir K. P. Puttanna Chetty CIE - Bureaucrat, administrator and philanthropist, First president of Bangalore Municipal Council, former Chairman of State Bank of Mysore,
• Rao Bahadur Gubbi Thotadappa, philanthropist and founder of Thotadappa Chathra, Bangalore,

Education, Science and technology

• D. M. Nanjundappa – noted economist from Karnataka, Vice-chancellor of Bangalore University and Karnataka University.
• R. C. Hiremath – noted researcher, writer and the vice-chancellor of Karnataka University, Dharwar.
• H. S. Shivaprakash – poet and playwright. Dean,School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
• D. C. Pavate, Padma Bhushan and former vice Chancellor of Karnataka University and Governor of Punjab.
• Dr. DG Hallikeri, freedom fighter and Educationist.
• A. S. Adke, former vice-chancellor of Karnataka University and former Principal of Karnataka Regional Engineering College, Surathkal
• M. Mahadevappa - renowned Agricultural scientist and Plant breeder, Padma Bhushan awardee,
• Dr. MC Modi – famous eye surgeon and Padma Bhushan awardee,^[26]
• Sharan Patil – philanthropist and orthopaedic surgeon,
• G. S. Paramasivaiah -co-founder of Karnatak University, Student of the Nobel-laureate Sir CV Raman,
• S. G. Balekundri – Irrigation expert and architect of Alamatti Dam.^[27]
• Y. G. Parameshwara – first Indian Blind Doctor,
• A.N. Prabhu Deva - former vice-chancellor of Bangalore University,
• S. J. Nagalotimath – Medical writer,
• G.S. Paramashivaiah - Irrigation expert and Chief Engineer,
• A. S. Kiran Kumar^[28] - Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman of Space Commission and Padma Shri awardee.

Literature

• Sarvajna – Kannada poet.
• Chamarasa^[29] - author of Prabhulingaleele,
• Harihara – known as Ragaleya Kavi.
• Raghavanka- known as Shatpadi Brahma.
• Palkuriki Somanatha^[30] - Telugu poet, author of Basava puranamu.
• Hardekar Manjappa – known as Gandhi of Karnataka.^[31]
• Phakirappa Gurubasappa Halakatti - Kannada writer,
• G. S. Shivarudrappa – poet and critic, Rashtra Kavi.
• Chennaveera Kanavi – poet and critic.
• Panchakshari Hiremath – writer and noted poet, short story writer, essayist, critic, translator, orator, editor, who writes in Kannada, Urdu and Hindi.
• Nijaguna Shivayogi – 15th century Kannada poet.
• P. Lankesh – writer and journalist, writing in the Kannada language.
• Jayadevi Taayi Ligade – writer and first lady president of akhila Bharatha Kannada saahitya sammelana.
• M. M. Kalburgi – Kannada Scholar.
• L. Basavaraju – Kannada eminent scholar and writer of several books on Sharana Sahitya.
• Sangamesh Saundattimath,Dravidian linguist
• M. Chidananda Murthy – Kannada writer, researcher and historian.
• Channappa Uttangi – Interfaith Pioneer and Writer.
• K. Marulasiddappa – Kannada writer,
• Chandrashekhar Patil - Kannada poet, playwright,
• Patil Puttappa - Kannada writer,
• Manu Baligar - former bureaucrat, and current president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

Art and Music

• Pandit Ganayogi Panchakshara Gawai – Hindustani and classical musician
• Basavaraj Rajguru – Classical vocalist, Padma Bhushan awardee
• Mallikarjun Mansur – Classical vocalist, Padma Vibhushan, Kalidas Samman awardee
• Kumar Gandharva – Hindustani vocalist, Padma Vibhushan, Kalidas Samman awardee
• Pandit Puttaraj Gawai – Hindustani and classical musician, Padma Bhushan, Kalidas Samman awardee
• Mukul Shivputra – Hindustani Classical music vocalist and son of Kumar Gandharva
• Balappa Hukkeri – Kannada Folk Singer
• Rajashekhar Mansur – Classical vocalist
• Gubbi Veeranna – theatre director, famously known as 'Father of Kannada Film Industry'
• Ranjani Shettar, famous artist and sculpurist,
• Vyjayanthi Kashi, famous artist and Kuchipudi dancer,
• Prateeksha Kashi, famous kuchipudi dancer.

Politics

• Basappa Danappa Jatti^[32]
  • President of India- 11 February 1977 – 25 July 1977
  • Vice President of India- 31 August 1974 – 30 August 1979
  • Chief Minister of Karnataka- 16 May 1958 – 9 March 1962
  • Governor of Orissa- 8 November 1972 – 20 August 1974
  • Lt. Governor of Pondicherry14 October 1968 – 7 November 1972
• S. Nijalingappa^[33] – Freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Karnataka and president All India Congress Committee
• Shivraj Patil^[34]
  • Home Minister of India- 2004–2008
  • Speaker of Lok Sabha- 1991–1996
  • Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha - 1990 - 1991
  • Minister of Defence- 15 January 1980 –2 December 1989
  • Governor of Punjab, January 2010 – 2015
  • Governor of Rajasthan - April 2010 – May 2012,
  • Administrator of Chandigarh – January 2010 – 2015
• M. S. Gurupadaswamy^[35][36]
  • Leader of House of Rajya Sabha - December 1989 to November 1990,
  • Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha - March 1971 to April 1972, 28 June 1991 to 21 July 1991,
  • Minister of Agriculture (India) - 1967 to 1969,
  • Minister for Food, Community Development and Cooperation - 1967 to 1969,
  • Minister of state for Atomic Energy - 1967.
  • Minister for Petroleum and Chemicals - 1989 to 1990.
• S. R. Bommai^[33] – former Chief Minister of Karnataka and Union Minister of Human Resource Development
• S. R. Kanthi^[33] – former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Veerendra Patil^[33] – former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Jayadevappa Halappa Patel^[34] – former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• B. S. Yeddyurappa^[34] – former Chief Minister of Karnataka
• Jagadish Shettar – former Chief Minister of Karnataka and current Leader of opposition, Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
• S. Mallikarjunaiah^[34] – Former MP Tumkur and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha(1991 - 1996),
• M.P. Prakash^[34] – Congress Leader and Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
• M. B. Patil – Minister for Water Resources, Government of Karnataka.
• Suresh Angadi – MP, Belgaum (Lok Sabha constituency).
• Suresh Shetkar - former MP of Zahirabad (Lok Sabha constituency), Andhra Pradesh
• Gudleppa Hallikeri – freedom fighter and former Chairman of Legislative Council,
• M. V. Rajasekharan – former Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning, Government of India.
• H.Siddhaveerappa – former minister for Home,Industries and Health,Leader of opposition, Government of Karnataka.
• Murugesh Nirani – former Minister for Industries, Government of Karnataka.
• Shamanur Mallikarjun – MLA, Karnataka and Former Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Government of Karnataka,
• S. A. Ravindranath – former minister for Horticulture and Sugar, government of Karnataka.
• Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeswara – Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises,
• Smt.Basavarajeswari^[34] – three time MP from Bellary and Former Union Minister of India,
• Siddappa Kambli - politician, freedom fighter and contributor for Unification of Karnataka.
• Ratnappa Kumbhar – Former MP, MLC and Minister of Home, Food and Civil Supplies in Maharashtra Government.^[37]
• Babagouda Patil^[34] – Senior BJP Leader, former MP and Union Minister of Rural Areas & Employment,
• Basangouda Patil^[34] – former Union minister of state for Railways and Textiles.
• Dr Neeraj Patil – mayor of Lambeth.London.
• Vatal Nagaraj – politician and founder leader of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha
• B. Y. Raghavendra – MP Shimoga and son of CM B. S. Yeddyurappa.
• M. P. Renukacharya – former Minister for Excise, Government of Karnataka.
• Laxman Savadi – former Minister for Co-operation, Government of Karnataka.
• Vinay Kore – former Minister of Non-Conventional Energy & Horticulture, Govt. of Maharashtra and the Chairman of the Warana Group of Industries.
• Basavaraj Bommai – former Minister for Water resources, Government of Karnataka.
• D. C. Srikantappa – former three time MP from Chikmagalur.
• Basavaraj Patil Sedam – Member of Rajya Sabha.
• M. Rajasekara Murthy^[34] – former Union minister for Surface Transport, MP, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and former minister for Finance, Revenue, Excise and Commerce and Industry, Karnataka,
• Dilip Gangadhar Sopal - MLA, Barshi, Solapur, and former minister for Law and Judiciary, and Water supply and Sanitation, Government of Maharashtra,
• Shashil G. Namoshi – Member of Legislative Council, Karnataka.
• Basavaraj Patil Attur - former minister for Higher Education, Small Scale Industries, and Minor Irrigation.
• Anant Gudhe- former Member of Parliament, Amravati.
• Chandrakant Khaire- Member of Parliament, Aurangabad.
• Shamanuru Shivashankarappa^[34] – Minister for Horticulture and Agro Marketing, Government of Karnataka.
• H. K. Patil^[38][39] – Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka.
• Sharan Prakash Patil – Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka.
• S. R. Patil - Minister for Infrastructure, Information Technology, Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Planning and Statistics, Government of Karnataka.
• H. S. Mahadeva Prasad – Minister for Co-operation, Government of Karnataka.
• Prakash Babanna Hukkeri – Member of Parliament, Chikkodi and former Minister for Sugar, Small Scale Industries and Endowments, Government of Karnataka.
• Bhagwanth Khuba - Member of Parliament, Bidar
• P. C. Gaddigoudar^[40] - Member of Parliament, Bagalkot
• Karadi Sanganna Amarappa^[41] - Member of Parliament, Koppal (Lok Sabha constituency),
• B. Jayashree^[42] - Artist and Member of Rajya Sabha, Padma Shri awardee,
• Shashikala Annasaheb Jolle - Member of Legislative Assembly, Nippani.
• B B Patil^[43] - Member of Parliament, Zahirabad (Lok Sabha constituency), Telangana.
• Satish Hiremath - Mayor of Oro Valley, Arizona, United States of America,
• Manjunath Kunnur - former MP, Dharwad,
• Basavraj Madhavrao Patil - MLA, Ausa, Latur, and former Minister for Rural Development, Government of Maharashtra,
• Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre - MLA, Akkalkot, Solapur, and former Minister for Home and Rural Development, Government of Maharashtra,
• Karne Prabhakar^[44] - MLC, Telangana, and Spokesperson of TRS,
• Vijay Deshmukh^[45] - Minister of state for PWD, Transport, Labour and Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, and MLA, Solapur North.
• Vinay Kulkarni^[46] - Minister for Mines and Geology, Government of Karnataka, and MLA, Dharwad,
• Ganesh Hukkeri - Member of Legislative Assembly, Chikkodi,
• Lakshmi Hebbalkar - President, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee women wing.

Business

• Vinay Kore – Chairman of the Warana Group, Maharashtra
• Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeswara – MP and head of GM group.^[47]
• Ashok Kheny – Award winner, Head of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Project (NICE)
• Baba Kalyani of Bharat Forge and Kalyani Group, Padma Bhushan Awardee.
• Prabhakar B. Kore – Karnatak Lingayat Education Society (The biggest Education society in the state) Chairman, MP and former minister.
• Murugesh Nirani of Nirani Group.
• Shamanuru Shivashankarappa,of Bapuji Educational Association
• Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman of VRL Group.

Media and entertainment

• S. Siddalingaiah - Kannada director
• Murali Siddalingaiah - Tamil actor,
• Atharvaa - Tamil actor,
• M. P. Shankar – veteran Kannada film actor and director
• Doddanna – veteran Kannada actor
• Aarathi - Kannada actress and director
• Manjula - 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
• B. C. Gowrishankar - veteran Choreographer
• K. M. Chaitanya – director
• Sharath Lohitashwa – actor
• Lohithaswa – actor and writer
• Kavitha Lankesh – writer and director
• Vedhika Kumar – Actress and model
• Chindodi Leela – Actress and Dramatist, Padmashri awardee
• Indrajit Lankesh – Director
• Preetham Gubbi – Director
• Dilip - South Indian actor
• Girija Shettar, Actress
• Chetan Kumar, Actor
• Shashank - Kannada Director
• Uma Shivakumar - Actress
• Vaijanath Biradar - comedy actor
• P. Neelakantan - Tamil Director
• Sunil Nagappa - actor
• Sanchari Vijay - actor, winner of Best actor award in 62nd National Film Awards
• Anoop Seelin - Music director
• Dhananjay - Kannada actor,
• Naga Kiran - Kannada actor,
• Kishore Kumar - South Indian actor.

Sports

• Prarthana Thombare - Indian Tennis player,
• Nanjangud Shivananju Manju,Indian footballer,
• Laxmikant Kattimani,Indian footballer,
• Gagan Ullalmath, Indian swimmer,
• Manju Nadgoda, Indian Lady Cricketer,
• Sujith Somasunder Indian Cricketer,
• Deepak Chougule, Indian Cricketer,
• Harishchandra Birajdar, Wrestler & First Hind Kesari from Maharashtra, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Dhyanchand Awardee,
• KL Rahul - International Cricketer - Team India,

Military and Police

• General Satyawant Mallanna Shrinagesh^[48] - 3rd Chief of Army Staff - Indian Army, and former Governor of Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Mysore state,
• Lieutenant General Ramesh Halagali, AVSM, SM - former Deputy Chief of Indian Army,
• Shankar Bidari, IPS – former Director general of police, Karnataka and Commissioner of Police of Bangalore city,
• L. Revanasiddaiah, IPS - former Additional Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, DGP, Karnataka and Commissioner of Police of Bangalore city,
• B. G. Jyothi Prakash Mirji, IPS - former Commissioner of Police of Bangalore city,
• Veeranna Aivalli, IPS – former Chairman, Aviation Security Audit Programme, International Civil Aviation Organisation, United Nations.^[25]
• Mallikarjun Bande - slain Indian Police Sub-Inspector,
• Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad - Indian soldier.

Law and Judiciary

• V. S. Malimath - former Chief Justice of Kerala and Karnataka,
• Shivaraj Patil - former Judge of Supreme Court of India and former Chief justice of Rajasthan,
• S. R. Bannurmath - Chairman, Maharashtra Human rights commission and former Chief Justice of Kerala,
• Pramila Nesargi - Advocate, politician and activist,
• Ashok B. Hinchigeri - Judge, Karnataka High Court,
• Mohan Shantanagoudar - Chief Justice of Kerala High Court.

Others

• Sri Shilpi Siddanthi Siddalinga Swami - famous painter and sculptor from Mysore, architect of Vidhana Soudha domes.^[49]
• M. D. Nanjundaswamy – farmer leader and activist.
• Subhash Mendhapurkar - Social Activist, Himachal Pradesh.
• S. R. Hiremath - Indian environmental and anti-corruption activist.^[50]
• Malathi Basappa - Beauty pageant, Miss India 1972, Miss India World 1972, and 4th Runner-Up, Miss World 1972.

References

1. Prominent Figures – Veerashaiva.info
2. Community dominance and political modernisation: the Lingayats
3. Prominent Lingayat Figures
4. is Basavanna?
5. Sharanas
6. "Prominent Lingayat Figures". virashaiva.com. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
7. "Channabasavanna". lingayatreligion.com. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
8. "'Devar Dasimayya Jayanti Utsav' celebrated". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
9. "Madivala Machideva - Lingayat Religion". lingayatreligion.com. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
10. "Veerashaiva". veerashaivainfo. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
11. "Ujjini Marulasiddeshwara Temple". Goudar.com. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
12. "Tourism in Karnataka". HolidayLandmark.com. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
13. "Story of Danamma Devi". Filmibeat. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
14. "Lingayats asked to work for progress of all groups". The Hindu. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
15. "Power not permanent: Yeddyurappa". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
16. Telangana Pride of Place - Perini
17. Chief Minister KCR extolls Basaveshwaras services
18. The Genesis of Shunya Sampadane – I
19. "A Glorious Legacy -Lingayat". Lingayat Matrimony. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
20. On the Haleri Trail - Deccan Herald
21. "The Lingayat Rajas". Kodagu First. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
22. "A Glorious Legacy -Lingayat". Retrieved 18 November 2015.
23. "Keladi Nayakas - Shivappa Nayaka and Chennamma, Community Dominance and Political Modernisation: The Lingayats". Mittal Publications. Shankaragouda Hanumanthagouda Patil. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
24. Praudha Devaraya revived Veerashaivism: historian
25. List of Prominent Lingayats
26. Man with a vision
27. Second Visveswarayya
28. "A S Kiran Kumar felecitation - awarded Veerashaiva Vaijnyanika Ratna". Namaste Telangana. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
29. "Chamarasa". Retrieved 18 November 2015.
30. Sujit Mukherjee. "A Dictionary of Indian Literature: Beginnings-1850 - Palkuriki Somanatha". Google Books. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
31. Hardekar Manjappa
32. B. D. Jatti
33. "Karnataka CM banks on Lingayat card". The Times of India. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
34. "Prominent Lingayat Figures". Virasaiva.com. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
35. "Mysore's secular stand". Business Standard. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
36. "M. S. Gurupadaswamy biography". In.com. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
38. H. K. Patil
39. The importance of being Patil
40. "Bagalkot registers 57.93 per cent polling". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
41. "The bastion of Lingayats". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
42. "B. Jayashree". Tumkurinfo. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
43. Separate Bhavan in Hyd–Lingayats urge CM
44. Queues say a sop story in Hyderabad
45. "3 Western Maharashtra leaders make it to Fadnavis cabinet". Retrieved 11 November 2015.
46. "Four more Ministers sworn in Karnataka - Vinay Kulkarni". News Karnataka. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
47. Gm Group's
48. "S. M. Shrinagesh". Udayavaani. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
49. "Forgotten architect". Times of India. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
50. MAN WITH A MISSION

External links

• Community dominance and political modernisation: the Lingayats, Shankaragouda Hanamantagouda Patil, ISBN 9788170998679
• List of Prominent Lingayats
• Lingayat Religion
• Welcome to Lingayat Religion
• Basava Divine Center