List of Lingayats

Lingayat, also known as Veerashaiva , are a community in India who adhere to Lingayatism, a sect under Hinduism. This is a list of notable Lingayats:

Saints

• Akka Mahadevi
• Allama Prabhu
• Basava
• Channabasavanna
• Devar Dasimayya
• Madivala Machideva
• Siddheshwar – of Solapur, Maharashtra
• Viswabandhu Marulasiddha
• Sharane Sri Danamma Devi – of Guddapura, Maharashtra
• Sarvajna

Historical rulers

• Kittur Chennamma(1778–1829) – queen of the princely state of Kitturu, Karnataka; fought against Doctrine of lapse
• Belawadi Mallamma
• Haleri Kings – of Madikeri
• Linga Rajendra II – Haleri king of Kodagu
• Chikka Virarajendra – last ruler of Madikeri
• Keladi Nayaka Kingdom
• Keladi Chennamma
• Shivappa Nayaka

Philanthropists

• Shivakumara Swamiji – head of Siddaganga Matha; Padma Bhushan awardee
• Gubbi Thotadappa - founder of famous Thotadappa hostel.

Education, science and technology

• D. C. Pavate - Vice chancellor of Karnataka University, Dharawada, Padmabhushan awardee.
• 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 – agricultural scientist and plant breeder; Padma Bhushan awardee
• Dr. MC Modi – eye surgeon and Padma Bhushan awardee
• Sharan Patil – philanthropist and orthopaedic surgeon
• S. G. Balekundri – irrigation expert and architect of Alamatti Dam
• Y. G. Parameshwara – first Indian blind doctor
• A.N. Prabhu Deva – former vice-chancellor of Bangalore University
• S. J. Nagalotimath – medical writer
• A. S. Kiran Kumar – Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman of Space Commission and Padma Shri awardee

Literature

• Sarvajna – Kannada poet
• Chamarasa – author of Prabhulingaleele
• Harihara – known as Ragaleya Kavi
• Raghavanka – known as Shatpadi Brahma
• Palkuriki Somanatha – Telugu poet, author of Basava purana
• Nijaguna Shivayogi – 15th-century Kannada poet
• Hardekar Manjappa – known as Gandhi of Karnataka
• Phakirappa Gurubasappa Halakatti – Kannada writer
• G. S. Shivarudrappa – Poet and critic, Rashtra Kavi
• Chennaveera Kanavi – poet and critic
• Panchakshari Hiremath – writer and poet, short story writer, essayist, critic, translator, orator, editor, who writes in Kannada, Urdu and Hindi
• P. Lankesh – writer and journalist, writing in the Kannada language
• Jayadevi Taayi Ligade – writer; first lady president of akhila Bharatha Kannada saahitya sammelana
• M. M. Kalburgi – Kannada scholar, Researcher, Vice Chancellor or Hampi Kannada University
• H.S. Shivaprakash- Poet,Playwright
• 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 and playwright
• Patil Puttappa – Kannada writer and former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
• Manu Baligar – former bureaucrat, and current president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat
• T. V. Sadasiva Pandarathar - Tamil Historical writer

Art and music

• Pandit Ganayogi Panchakshara Gawai – Hindustani and classical musician
• Basavaraj Rajguru – classical vocalist, Padma Bhushan awardee
• Mallikarjun Mansur – Hindustani vocalist, Padma Vibhushan, Kalidas Samman awardee
• Rajshekhar Mansur-Hindustani vocalist
• 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, known as 'father of Kannada film industry'
• B. Jayashree - theatre
• Ranjani Shettar – artist and sculpurist
• Vyjayanthi Kashi – artist and Kuchipudi dancer
• Prateeksha Kashi – kuchipudi dancer

Politics

Chief Ministers

Other politicians

• Shivraj Patil – Home Minister of India 2004–2008, Speaker of Lok Sabha 1991–1996, Minister of Defence 1980–1989, Governor of Punjab 2010–2015, Governor of Rajasthan 2010-2012
• K. P. Puttanna Chetty – First President of Bangalore Municipality
• M. S. Gurupadaswamy – Leader of House of Rajya Sabha 1989–1990, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha 1971–1972, Minister of Agriculture
• Laxman Savadi – former Deputy Chief Minister, former Minister for Transport and Minister for Co-operation, Government of Karnataka
• J. C. Madhu Swamy - ex Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, and Minor Irrigation, Government of Karnataka
• B. C. Patil - ex Minister for Agriculture, Government of Karnataka
• V. Somanna - ex Minister for Housing, Government of Karnataka
• C. C. Patil – ex Minister for Public Works Department, former Minister for Mines and Geology, Government of Karnataka
• Shashikala Annasaheb Jolle – ex Minister for Women and Child development, Senior Citizen and differently abled Empowerment, Government of Karnataka and MLA, Nippani
• Eshwara Bhimanna Khandre – MLA and former Minister, Government of Karnataka
• K. S. Nagarathanamma - former Speaker and Leader of opposition of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, and minister for Health and family welfare.
• S. Mallikarjunaiah – former MP Tumkur and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha (1991–1996)
• M.P. Prakash – Congress Leader and Former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka
• M. B. Patil – former Minister for Water Resources, Government of Karnataka
• Suresh Angadi – Minister of State for Railways, Government of India
• Suresh Shetkar – former MP of Zahirabad (Lok Sabha constituency), Telangana
• 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 Heavy Industry, Government of Karnataka
• S. S. Mallikarjun – MLA, Karnataka and Minister for Horticulture, Mines & Geology, 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 – 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
• Babagouda Patil – BJP Leader, former MP and Union Minister of Rural Areas & Employment
• Basangouda Patil – former Union minister of state for Railways and Textiles
• Dr Neeraj Patil – former Mayor of Lambeth, London
• Vatal Nagaraj – former MLA and founder leader of Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha
• B. Y. Raghavendra – MP Shimoga; son of CM B. S. Yeddyurappa
• M. P. Renukacharya – MLA and former Minister for Excise, Government of Karnataka
• D. C. Srikantappa – former three time MP from Chikmagalur
• Basavaraj Patil Sedam – former Member of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
• M. Rajasekara Murthy – 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 – former MLA, Barshi, Solapur, and former minister for Law and Judiciary, and Water supply and Sanitation, Government of Maharashtra
• Shashil G. Namoshi – former 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 – former Member of Parliament, Aurangabad
• Shamanuru Shivashankarappa – MLA, Davanagere South, former Minister for Horticulture and Agro Marketing, Government of Karnataka and President, Akhila Bharatha Veerashaiva Mahasabha
• H. K. Patil – former Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka
• Sharan Prakash Patil – former Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka
• S. R. Patil – former Minister for Infrastructure, Information Technology, Biotechnology, Science and Technology, Planning and Statistics, Government of Karnataka
• H. S. Mahadeva Prasad – former 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 – Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, New and Renewable Energy of India and Member of Parliament, Bidar
• P. C. Gaddigoudar – Member of Parliament, Bagalkot
• Karadi Sanganna Amarappa – Member of Parliament, Koppal (Lok Sabha constituency)
• B. Jayashree – artist and former Member of Rajya Sabha, Padma Shri awardee
• Annasaheb Jolle - Member of Parliament, Chikkodi.
• B B Patil – Member of Parliament, Zahirabad (Lok Sabha constituency), Telangana
• Satish Hiremath – former Mayor of Oro Valley, Arizona, United States of America
• Manjunath Kunnur – former MP, Dharwad South
• 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 – MLC, Telangana, and Spokesperson of BRS
• Vijay Deshmukh – former Minister of state for PWD, Transport, Labour and Textiles, Government of Maharashtra, and MLA, Solapur North
• Vinay Kulkarni – former Minister for Mines and Geology, Government of Karnataka, and MLA, Dharwad
• Ganesh Hukkeri – Member of Legislative Assembly, Chikkodi
• Lakshmi Hebbalkar – Member of Legislative Assembly and former president, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee women's wing
• B. Y. Vijayendra - president of Bharatiya Janata Party Karnataka state unit
• Rahul Siddhvinayak Bondre - MLA,, Maharashtra
• Prabha Mallikarjun - Member of Parliament, Davanagere Lok Sabha constituency
• Sagar Khandre - Member of Parliament, Bidar Lok Sabha constituency

Business

• Baba Kalyani - Founder and Chairman of Kalyani Group
• Gowdar Mallikarjunappa Siddeswara – MP and head of GM group
• Ashok Kheny – head of Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Project (NICE)
• Prabhakar B. Kore – Karnatak Lingayat Education Society (largest 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

• M. P. Shankar – veteran Kannada film actor and director
• Doddanna – veteran Kannada actor
• Manjula – actress
• B.C. Patil – Kannada actor
• Prabhu deva – Indian actor, known as the Indian Michael Jackson
• Mugur Sundar – Indian director
• Raju Sundaram – Tamil actor
• Nagendra Prasad – actor
• Gubbi Veeranna – theatre director
• B. C. Gowrishankar – choreographer
• K. M. Chaitanya – director
• Sharath Lohitashwa – actor
• Lohithaswa – actor and writer
• Kavitha Lankesh – writer and director
• Gauri Lankesh - journalist
• 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
• Sumanth Shailendra – Kannada actor
• Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah - Kannada Producer
• C. Rudraiah – Tamil director
• Aditi Prabhudeva - Kannada actress
• Chitkala Biradar - actress

Sports

• Prarthana Thombare – Indian tennis player
• Nanjangud Shivananju Manju – Indian footballer
• Laxmikant Kattimani – Indian footballer
• Gagan Ullalmath – Indian swimmer
• Manju Nadgoda – Indian cricketer
• Sujith Somasunder – Indian cricketer
• Satish Kumar – Indian taekwondo player
• Deepak Chougule – Indian cricketer
• Harishchandra Birajdar – wrestler and first Hind Kesari from Maharashtra, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Dhyanchand Award recipient
• Yere Goud – Indian cricketer
• KL Rahul – Indian cricketer
• Kruthik Hanagavadi - Indian Cricketer
• Shreyanka Patil - Indian woman Cricketer
• Aditi Ashok - Indian golfer

Military and police

• General Satyawant Mallanna Shrinagesh – 3rd Chief of Army Staff - Indian Army, and former Governor of Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Mysore state
• Lieutenant General B. S. Raju, UYSM, AVSM, YSM – Vice Chief of the Army Staff of Indian Army, former Director General of Military Operations
• Lieutenant General M. V. Suchindra Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, YSM & bar, VSM is a serving general officer – Vice Chief of Indian Army
• Lieutenant General Ramesh Halagali, AVSM, SM – former Deputy Chief of Indian Army
• Col M. B. Ravindranath VrC - Indian Army Officer and Vir Chakra Awardee
• 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 of Aviation Security Audit Programme, International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations
• Mallikarjun Bande – slain Indian Police Sub-Inspector
• Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad – Indian soldier
• V. C. Sajjanar, IPS - Telangana Police officer known as an Encounter Specialist

Law and judiciary

• V. S. Malimath – former Chief Justice of Kerala and Karnataka
• Pramila Nesargi – advocate, politician and activist
• Mohan Shantanagoudar – Former Judge of the Supreme court of India and former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court
• S. R. Bannurmath - former Chief Justice of Kerala
• Ravi Malimath - current Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh

Others

• M. D. Nanjundaswamy – farmer leader and activist
• Subhash Mendhapurkar – social activist, Himachal Pradesh
• S. R. Hiremath – Indian environmental activist, Karnataka

References

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 Archived 31 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine