Shamanur Shivashankarappa passed away on December 14, 2025. This news came just yesterday. He was a big name in Karnataka politics and business. People in Davangere still talk about him today.
Early Life
Shamanur Shivashankarappa was born on June 16, 1931. His parents were Shamanur Kallappa and Savithramma. He grew up in Davangere, Karnataka. Davangere is famous for benne dosa. As a boy, he went to Old Middle School there. He finished primary school. Then he studied up to intermediate level. But he stopped his studies early. Life needed him to work. He chose business over books.
His family was simple. Father Kallappa did small trade. Young Shivashankarappa watched and learned. He saw how hard work pays. Davangere had markets full of grains. He liked that world. No big dreams of college. Just real life steps. He joined family business young. This choice shaped his future. From small shop to big empire. That's his story start.
Shamanur Shivashankarappa Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Family
Career
Shivashankarappa began trading grains. He sold toor dal and chana dal. Father and brother Basavarajappa helped. They started small. Days were tough. Once he lost Rs 1 lakh. That hurt bad. But he did not quit. He worked harder. Dedication grew his trade. Soon he built a business group. Shamanur Group came up. It had sugar factories. It had distilleries too.
Business made him strong. He learned from losses. Markets taught lessons. Davangere became his base. He expanded step by step. No shortcuts. Just smart moves. People trusted him. His empire touched many lives. Workers got jobs. Farmers sold grains easy. He became a local hero. Business was his first love. It gave him power and respect.
He ran many industries. Sugar units ran smooth. Distilleries brought money. He thought big. But kept roots simple. No fancy offices at first. Home was his first shop. Family pitched in. Brother and father side by side. Losses came. Wins followed. By 1960s, he was known. Bizman by choice. That's what he said later.
Politics
Politics found him by chance. He never planned it. In early 1960s, he joined cooperative sector. Became director of Janata Bazaar. Then urban co-operative society. Small steps led big. In 1969, he won Davangere municipality seat. From 1971 to 1973, he was president. Congress party saw his skills. He served as treasurer of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee. For three decades. Long time. He was loyal. In 1994, he entered assembly first time. Davangere South seat. He won it many times. Six times MLA. Once MP too. In 2023, at age 92, he won again. Beat BJP by 27,000 votes. Wheelchair bound but strong will. India's oldest MLA then.
His son S S Mallikarjun held Davangere North. Daughter-in-law Prabha Mallikarjun won Lok Sabha later. Family in politics. But he said, "Politician by chance." Business first. Politics service. He spoke simple. Wit and humor won hearts. Even old age, voice weak, but jokes sharp. Asked if chief minister dream? He laughed. Said he runs big institutions. Knows systems. Can make Karnataka clean. From 2013 to 2016, he was minister. Agricultural marketing and horticulture. Under Siddaramaiah. Worked for farmers. Pushed better markets. Horticulture grew. His touch helped Karnataka fields.
Education
He loved education. Chairman of Bapuji Educational Association. Chain of schools and colleges. Bapuji Institute of Engineering & Technology. Many pro colleges. Thousands studied there. He built from nothing. Poor kids got chance. Davangere proud. He was president of All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha. Lingayat leader. Sadar Lingayat community. Worked to unite Veerashaivas and Lingayats. Rift happened once. He fixed it. Made Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha. Peace came. Seers respected him. But sometimes words sparked rows. He backed B S Yediyurappa once. Bold man. Social work ran in blood. Cooperatives helped poor. Education lifted youth. Industries gave jobs. He mixed all. No show off. Just did work. Davangere changed with him.
Personal Life
Family strong. Wife not much in news. But sons and daughters active. S S Mallikarjun MLA. Prabha Mallikarjun MP. Legacy passed on. He lived long. 94 years. Health failed late. Could not walk alone. Voice soft. But mind sharp. Joked with reporters. Overcame pain with smile. He shared old stories. Early business losses. Father brother help. Politics surprise. Said never dreamed MLA or minister. Business enough. But duty called. People loved his simple ways. No big ego. Grounded man.
Legacy
In 2023 polls, wheelchair ride to win. Crowd cheered. Oldest MLA record. Served till end. Passed in Bengaluru hospital. December 14, 2025. Sunday. Senior Congress leader gone. Davangere sad. Karnataka lost veteran. Legacy big. Business empire stands. Education hubs run. Politics inspired. United communities. Farmers thank him. Youth remember colleges. Family carries on. He proved age no bar. Work till last. Witty, wise, worker. People say he built Davangere. From grains to glory. Bizman choice. Politician chance. True words. His life teaches. Start small. Dream big. Never stop. Karnataka misses him. But stories live.
