# List of Lingayats

Lingayats, also known as Veerashaiva /ˈvɪərəʃaɪvə/, are a community in India who adhere to Lingayatism, a religious sect of Shaivism within Hinduism. This is a list of notable Lingayats:

## Saints

* Akka Mahadevi
* Allama Prabhu
* Basava
* Channabasavanna
* Ambigara Chowdaiya
* 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
* Hande Hanumappa Nayaka- Savior of Vijayanagara empire and first Hande ruler of Ballari
* Rama Raya

## 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

| Name | State |
| S. Nijalingappa | Karnataka |
| B. D. Jatti | Karnataka |
| S. R. Kanthi | Karnataka |
| Veerendra Patil | Karnataka |
| S. R. Bommai | Karnataka |
| J. H. Patel | Karnataka |
| B. S. Yediyurappa | Karnataka |
| Jagadish Shettar | Karnataka |
| Basavaraj Bommai | Karnataka |

### 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
* Chandrashekhar S. Patil - Member of the Legislative Assembly, Kamalapur, Karnataka Assembly 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