Shantaveri Gopala Gowda
Encyclopedia
Shantaveri Gopala Gowda (March 14, 1923-June 9, 1972) was one of the pioneers of the socialist movement in Karnataka
. He was influenced by Ram Manohar Lohia
.
He mentored several socialists in Karnataka including J.H.Patel, Bangarappa
, S. M. Krishna
and D. Devaraj Urs
,who became the chief ministers of the state. Urs was inspired and understood the depth of Gopala Gowda's mind and life which was devoted to the poor and working classes, especially the farmers. The Land reforms act and renaming of the state from Mysore to Karnataka are thanks to his association with Gopala Gowda.
Besides he was a firebrand politician, and, probably, this staunch Lohia
ite deserved to be the most ideal Chief minister of Karnataka. He knew the culture of the land and being a villager himself was more endearing to the ‘Raitha Samudaya’(Farmer community) of Karnataka. A well read person with a strong love for the Kannada language had been friend to many intellectual and sensitive literary figures of Karnataka like poet Gopalkrishna Adiga, Jnanapith awardee Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, versatile journalist Late P. Lankesh
, Ryot leader Prof.M.D.Nanjundaswamy, etc., In fact, Dr.Ananthamurthy wrote the novel by name ‘Avasthe’ meaning ‘state of life’. It was also made into a sensitive movie, with actor Anantanag playing the main role. There is a saying that Mr.Shantaveri gopalagowda used to create fear in the minds of every corrupt Politician in Karnataka and he dared breaking the mike during the address by the Governor when he felt that the sensitivity of a Kannada Citizen is hurt. A real idealist, dare devil leader; and, the famous ‘Kagodu satyagraha’ is evergreen in the minds of people, more so in the minds of farmers of Karnataka. His death at an early age actually brought an almost abrupt end to the socialist movement in Karnataka. Only Prof.M.D. Nanjundaswamy, to some extent carried on his shoulders what Gopalagowda would have done. Gowda’s political role was pivotal in a country like India which boasts to be the country of Farmers.
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. He was influenced by Ram Manohar Lohia
Ram Manohar Lohia
Rammanohar Lohia was an Indian freedom fighter and a socialist political leader.-Early life:Lohia was born in a village Akbarpur in Ambedkar Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, in India to Hira Lal, a nationalist and Chanda,a teacher. He was born to Marwari Maheshwari family. His mother died when he...
.
He mentored several socialists in Karnataka including J.H.Patel, Bangarappa
Bangarappa
S. Bangarappa is an Indian politician and a former Chief Minister of Karnataka. He represented Shimoga constituency in the 14th Lok Sabha. He currently belongs to the Janata Dal ....
, S. M. Krishna
S. M. Krishna
Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna , generally referred to as S. M. Krishna, is the Minister of External Affairs and a member of the Indian Parliament from Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha. He was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004 and the Governor of Maharashtra from 2004 to...
and D. Devaraj Urs
D. Devaraj Urs
D. Devaraj Urs dominated Karnataka politics for many years and was twice Chief Minister of the state. Originally from Mysore, he was a member of what came to be known as the 'Syndicate' of powerful regional leaders, though he never went as far as, for example, Kamaraj, in opposition to Indira...
,who became the chief ministers of the state. Urs was inspired and understood the depth of Gopala Gowda's mind and life which was devoted to the poor and working classes, especially the farmers. The Land reforms act and renaming of the state from Mysore to Karnataka are thanks to his association with Gopala Gowda.
Besides he was a firebrand politician, and, probably, this staunch Lohia
Lohia
The Lohia are a Bania sub-caste found in the state of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh in India. They belong to Maheshwari caste. According to the traditions of the community, they derive their name from the place of their origin - a certain Lohiya Ban. The Lohia are found mainly in western Uttar Pradesh,...
ite deserved to be the most ideal Chief minister of Karnataka. He knew the culture of the land and being a villager himself was more endearing to the ‘Raitha Samudaya’(Farmer community) of Karnataka. A well read person with a strong love for the Kannada language had been friend to many intellectual and sensitive literary figures of Karnataka like poet Gopalkrishna Adiga, Jnanapith awardee Dr. U.R. Ananthamurthy, versatile journalist Late P. Lankesh
P. Lankesh
Palegar Lankeshappa was a major Indian writer and journalist, writing in the Kannada language. He is probably the only writer who can be credited with bringing magical realism to Kannada literature apart from innovative use of the language...
, Ryot leader Prof.M.D.Nanjundaswamy, etc., In fact, Dr.Ananthamurthy wrote the novel by name ‘Avasthe’ meaning ‘state of life’. It was also made into a sensitive movie, with actor Anantanag playing the main role. There is a saying that Mr.Shantaveri gopalagowda used to create fear in the minds of every corrupt Politician in Karnataka and he dared breaking the mike during the address by the Governor when he felt that the sensitivity of a Kannada Citizen is hurt. A real idealist, dare devil leader; and, the famous ‘Kagodu satyagraha’ is evergreen in the minds of people, more so in the minds of farmers of Karnataka. His death at an early age actually brought an almost abrupt end to the socialist movement in Karnataka. Only Prof.M.D. Nanjundaswamy, to some extent carried on his shoulders what Gopalagowda would have done. Gowda’s political role was pivotal in a country like India which boasts to be the country of Farmers.