- S. M. Krishna
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna, generally referred to as S M Krishna (born 1932) is the Governor of the Indian state of Maharashtra. He was also the chief minister of the southern state of Karnataka from October 1999 to May 2004. S.M. Krishna is the son of S.C. Mallaiah. He completed his Bachelor's in Arts from Maharaja's College, Mysore and obtained a Law degree from Government Law College, Bangalore.
- H. D. Deve Gowda
Haradanahalli Dodde Deve Gowda was the twelfth Prime Minister of the Republic of India (1996-1997) and the 14th chief minister of the state of Karnataka (1994-1996). He is widely respected and regarded for his struggle toward the cause of the farming community and is proudly hailed as "son of the soil". A member of a farming family, he was trained as a farmer and won his first seat in the Karnataka state assembly in 1962, rising to become Karnataka's chief minister.
- Kuvempu
Kuvempu was born in Hirekodige, Koppa taluk, of Chikmagalur district to a native Kannada family. He was brought up in a place in the lush Malenadu region of Tirthahalli, called Kuppali, of Shimoga district. His education began at his home by an appointed teacher from Dakshina Kannada. He joined Anglo Vernacular school in Tirthahalli to continue his middle school education. He lost his father "Venkatappa Gowda" at the early age of 12 due to ill health.
- Dharam Singh
Narayan Dharam Singh (born December 25, 1936), was the 17th Chief Minister of Karnataka state in India and a former Lok Sabha member. He was sworn into office on May 28, 2004, and left office on February 3, 2006. He represents Congress (I) in the state. The coalition government formed by the Congress (I) with the help of Janata Dal (Secular) came to an end in February, 2006 when H. D. Kumaraswamy engineered the downfall of the Dharam Singh administration.
- H. D. Kumaraswamy
Haradanahalli Deve Gowda Kumaraswamy (born December 16, 1959) is the present Chief Minister of the state of Karnataka, India. He is one of the sons of former Prime Minister of India H. D. Deve Gowda. Popularly known as "KumarAnna" (Kumar, the name and anna in Kannada means elder brother) among his friends and followers, was a noted film producer, distributor and exhibitor in the Kannada film industry. He owns a cinema theater at his home town Holenarasipura.
- Tipu Sultan
Tippu Sultan, also known as the Tiger of Mysore (November 20, 1750, Devanahalli – May 4, 1799, Srirangapattana), was the first son of Haidar Ali by his second wife, Fatima or Fakhr-un-nissa. He was the "de facto" ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore from the time of his father's death in 1782 until his own demise in 1799. Tippu Sultan was a learned man and an able soldier. He was reputed to be a good poet.
- Bangarappa
S.Bangarappa (born 26 October, 1933) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Shimoga constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Samajwadi Party (SP) political party. He was the founder of Karnataka Vikas Party and Karnataka Congress Party. He was born on 26 October 1933 in Kubatur village of Shimoga District in Karnataka, India. His father was the late Shri Kallappa and his mother was Kallamma. He was married on 1 January 1958 to Smt. Shakuntala.
- Aishwarya Rai
Aishwarya Rai, also known as Ash, is an Indian actress. She was awarded the Miss World title in 1994. Aishwarya Rai has acted in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and English films. She is currently regarded as one of the biggest names in Bollywood.
- Ramakrishna Hegde
Ramakrishna Hegde born on August 291926 at Siddapur, Uttara Kannada district was an Indian politician, Chief Minister of Karnataka for three terms and later served as Union Commerce Minister. His father was Mahabaleshwar Hegde and mother Saraswati Hegde. He was a lawyer by training; he participated in theQuit India Movement of 1942 (Indian freedom struggle) and was an active member of Congress Party.
- Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya is an Indian businessman and Rajya Sabha MP. The son of industrialist Vittal Mallya, he is the chairman of the United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines, which draws its name from United Breweries Group's flagship beer brand, Kingfisher. Mallya receives substantial press coverage that focuses on his lavish parties and his yacht, the Indian Empress.<br
- Ananth Kumar
Ananth Kumar (born 22 July, 1959) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Bangalore South constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) political party.
- Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dasa (kannada:ಪುರಂದರ ದಾಸ) is one of the most prominent composers in Carnatic music. His contribution to music is immeasurable, and he is often called the "Karnataka sangeeta pitamaha" (Father of Carnatic Music). The "dasas", among them Sripadaraya, Kanaka Dasa, Jagannatha Dasa, Vijaya Dasa, and Kamalesha Vittala and others, propounded bhakti to the Lord through music over several years.
- N. R. Narayana Murthy
N.R. Narayana Murthy is an Indian industrialist, software engineer and one of the 7 founders of Infosys Technologies, a global consulting and IT services company based in India.
- Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty is a four-time Filmfare Award-nominated Indian film actress and Supermodel. Since making her debut in the film "Baazigar" (1993), she has appeared in nearly 50 films, her first leading role being in 1994 in "Aag". She resides at the centre of the Hindi-language film industry in Mumbai, India. Her younger sister Shamita Shetty is also a Bollywood film actress.
- Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi Born February 04, 1922) is a renowned vocalist in India. A descendant of the Kirana Gharana (stream) of Hindustani classical music tradition, he is particularly renowned for "Khayal" form singing.
- B. S. Yediyurappa
B.S. Yediyurappa (born February 27, 1943) is an Indian politician. He is from the BJP and represents Shikaripur in the Karnataka legislative assembly. He is married to Smt. Mythradevi, and has two sons and three daughters. He is a graduate in the faculty of arts. An agriculturist by profession, his stint in public office began in 1975 when he was elected as Councilor to the Town Municipality of Shikaripura.
- U. R. Ananthamurthy
Udupi Rajagopalacharya Ananthamurthy, is a leading contemporary writer and critic in Kannada language and considered as one of the most important representatives of the Navya movement. Ananthamurthy is counted among the most eminent Indian authors. He is the sixth person among seven recipients of Jnanpith Award for Kannada language, the highest literary honor conferred in India. He was conferred Padma Bhushan by Government of India.
- Girish Karnad
Girish Karnad (born May 19, 1938), is a contemporary writer, playwright, actor and movie director in Kannada language. He is the latest one among seven recipients of Jnanpith Award for Kannada the highest literary honour conferred in India. For four decades, Karnad has been composing plays, often using history and mythology to tackle contemporary issues. He is also active in the world of Indian cinema working as an actor, …
- Sudha Murthy
Sudha Murthy is an Indian social worker and accomplished author. She is known for her philanthropic work through the Infosys Foundation. Among other things, she has initiated a move to provide all government schools in Karnataka with computer and library facilities. She also teaches computer science and writes fiction. "Dollar Bahu" ("Dollar daughter-in-law"), a book she wrote, was adapted to a television serial in 2001. She completed her M.Tech.
- Siddaramaiah
Born on August 12, 1948 Siddaramana Hundi, a remote village in Varuna Hobli of Mysore District, Shri. Siddaramaiah hails from a poor farming Community. Coming from an illiterate family, Shri. Siddaramaiah is the maiden sophomore of is family who graduated from Mysore University with B. Sc Degree. Later he did his L.L.B from the same university and pursued the Law Profession for more time.
- Javagal Srinath
Javagal Srinath (born August 31, 1969 in Mysore, Karnataka) is a former Indian cricketer. He was a frontline fast bowler for the Indian cricket team until his retirement, being the only Indian pace bowler apart from Kapil Dev to take 200 Test wickets. He is arguably India's fastest bowler.
- Hyder Ali
Hyder Ali or Haidar 'Ali (c. 1722 - 1782), was the de facto ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India. Hyder Ali was a Shia Muslim soldier-adventurer, who, followed by his son Tipu Sultan, became one of the most formidable Asiatic rivals the British had ever encountered in India. He was the great-grandson of an Islamic fakir from Gulbarga, Deccan. His father was a "naik" or chief constable at Budikota, near Kolar in present-day Karnataka.
- Krishnadevaraya
Krishnadevaraya was the most famous king of Vijayanagara empire. He presided over the empire at its zenith. He is regarded as a hero of people of Kannada and Telugu descent and considered to be one of the great kings of India. Emperor Krishnadevaraya also earned the titles "Andhra Bhoja" and "Kannada Rajya Rama Ramana". Much of our information about his reign comes from the accounts of Portuguese travelers Domingos Paes and Nuniz.
- Girish Kasaravalli
Girish Kasaravalli(born 1950) is a leading movie director of international repute in Kannada. He is a well known name among the directors of parallel cinema in India. Mr.Girish Kasaravalli has to his distinction four Golden Lotus Awards for the eleven films he has directed so far. He is a perfectionist and works on his script and screenplay for months together. A gold medalist from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, …
- Azim Premji
Azim Hashim Premji (born July 24, 1945) is the Chairman & CEO of Wipro Technologies, which today is one of the largest software companies in India. It has its headquarters in the Indian Silicon City Bangalore. He was rated the richest person in the country from 1999 to 2005 by Forbes. His wealth today is estimated at 58,451 crores INR which places him as the fourth richest Indian; behind DLF Chairman Kushal Pal Singh and ahead of Sterlite Chairman [Anil Agarwal].
- Prakash Padukone
Prakash Padukone is a famous badminton player from Karnataka, India.
- Nandan Nilekani
Nandan Nilekani is an Indian software entrepreneur. He is currently the Co-Chairman of Infosys Technologies Ltd, of which he is also a co-founder, along with N. R. Narayana Murthy and others.
- Gangubai Hangal
Gangubhai Hangal is one of the greats of the Hindustani classical music. She is a vocalist and an exponent of the Kirana Gharana. She learnt her music under the tutelage of Sawai Gandharva. Gangubhai lives in the city of Hubli in Karnataka. She is known to let herself drift in the melody of the raga she renders. She believes that Music helped her have a communion with God.
- Akka Mahadevi
Akka Mahadevi (ಅಕ್ಕ ಮಹಾದೇವಿ) Born to Nirmala and Sumati in Udatadi (or Udugani) near the ancient city of Banavasi (in Shikaripura taluk Shimoga district) in a Shiva temple was a prominent figure of the Veerashaiva Bhakti movement in 12th century Karnataka. Her Vachanas, a form of poetry are considered her greatest contribution to Kannada Bhakti literature.
- Kittur Chennamma
Kitturu Rani Chennamma (Kannada: was the queen of the prince state Kittur in Karnataka.
- H. Narasimhaiah
Hosur Narasimhaiah was a physicist, educator, freedom fighter and rationalist from Karnataka, India. He was popularly known as HN. He was conferred Padma Bhushan by Government of India in 1985.
- Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya KCIE (Kannada: ಶ್ರೀ ಮೋಕ್ಷಗುಂಡಂ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರಯ್ಯ) (other spellings include Visvesvaraya, Visweswaraiah, Vishweshwariah and Vishweshwarayya; popularly known as Sir M. V.) (September 15, 1860-April 12, 1962), was an eminent Indian engineer and statesman. He is a recipient of the Indian republic's highest honour, …
- Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji
Dr. Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji (born April 1, 1907) is the present head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur District, South India and founder of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society. Dr. Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamiji, the present head of the Math was initiated into viraktashram order in 1930. The driving forces of Sree Swamiji's more than seven decades of service to humanity are hardwork, disciplined life, …
- Rajkumar
Dr. Rajkumar (Kannada:ಡಾ. ರಾಜ್ಕುಮಾರ್, Real Name: Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju Kannada:ಸಿಂಗನಲ್ಲೂರು ಪುಟ್ಟಸ್ವಾಮಯ್ಯ ಮುತ್ತುರಾಜು, April 24, 1929—April 12,2006) was the most popular actor in Kannada film industry. He was an icon in Karnataka and seen as a role model to millions of Kannadigas. "Dr.
- Shankar Nag
Shankar Nag originally known as Shankar Nagarakatte (ಶಂಕರ್ ನಾಗರಕಟ್ಟೆ), along with his elder brother Anant Nag (ಅನಂತ್ ನಾಗ್) was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days (ಮಾಲ್ಗುಡಿ ಡೇಸ್), based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's (ಆರ್.ಕೆ.ನಾರಾಯನ್) short stories.
- Veerendra Heggade
D. Veerendra Heggade is the eldest son of Ratnavarma Heggade and Rathnamma Heggade. The mantle of "Heggadeship" fell on the shoulders of Veerendra Heggade at the age of 20, on October 24, 1968 when he became the 21st Dharmadikari of Shri Shetra Dharmasthala. Veerendra Heggade’s first major act since he became Dharmadhikari was to realise his father’s dream by completing the carving and installation of the 39 ft., 170 ton Bahubali statue at Dharmastala.
- G. V. Iyer
Ganapathi Venkatrama Iyer (also known as G V Iyer) was a well known Indian film director. He was nicknamed "Kannada Bhisma", and was the only person who made movies in Sanskrit. His films were well-known for their spiritual themes. He was born in 1917 in Nanjanagud in Mysore district of Karnataka state in South India. He started his career at the age of eight when he joined the Gubbi Veeranna Theater group.
- Gubbi Veeranna
Gubbi Veeranna was an Indian theatre director, one of the pioneers and most prolific contributors to Kannada theatre. He established the drama company, "Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company" that played a crucial role in promoting the Kannada theatre. Some of the stalwarts that have emerged out of this company include Dr. Rajkumar, B. Jayashree and G. V. Shivananda. He is conferred the title "Nataka Ratna" meaning "jewel in the theatre world".
- Puttanna Kanagal
Puttanna Kanagal was arguably the greatest Kannada film director of the 1960s and the 70s. Although majority of his films were on offbeat or taboo subjects, he endeared both to the critics and ordinary film goers alike.
- M. Shivanna
M. Shivanna (born 8 March, 1948) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Chamarajanagar constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) political party.