Shamanur Shivashankarappa; From a modest trading family to a towering public figure

Davanagere: Born into a middle-class trading family in Davangere, the journey of Shamanur Shivashankarappa stands out as a remarkable story of determination, enterprise and public service. From humble beginnings, he grew into a figure whose influence extended far beyond his hometown, earning recognition across Karnataka and the nation.

Shivashankarappa was the second of five children born to Kalappa and Savithramma. His elder brother was Basavarajappa, followed by younger siblings Sharanappa, Tippamma and Parvathamma.

He completed his primary education at Old Middle School in Davangere and pursued intermediate studies at a government high school. Soon after, he discontinued formal education and entered the family’s traditional occupation—trade—where he would go on to carve out a unique legacy.

Working closely with his father Kalappa and elder brother Basavarajappa, Shivashankarappa experimented boldly in business. He began with the trade of ragi and rice, travelling from village to village to procure produce.

Gradually, he expanded his operations, visiting major cities such as Mysuru, Bengaluru, Agra and Kanpur. The exposure and experience gained during these travels helped him establish a strong commercial base in Davangere, where his enterprise grew steadily, much like a banyan tree taking deep roots.

From the outset, Shivashankarappa was known for dreaming big in business and working relentlessly to achieve those ambitions. Those who watched him closely recall his tireless efforts, often working day and night, which ultimately paid rich dividends.

In an interview to media he once recalled the ups and downs of his early business days. He spoke of starting a gram and tur dal business, suffering a loss of ₹1 lakh in tur dal trade, and later recovering through rice, sugar and jaggery trading.

During the severe drought of 1962, he partnered with Shamanur Sangappa, later setting up a rice mill together. Each partner invested ₹5,000 at a time, eventually reaching ₹95,000 each. When they decided to end the partnership, both wanted ownership of the mill, leading to an auction in which Shivashankarappa secured it for a then-huge sum of ₹25 lakh.

His roots in old Davangere remained strong. The family’s ancestral house stands on Kalikadevi Road, and his well-known shop, “Kalleshwara Traders,” near the Bakkeshwara Temple in Choukipete, held deep emotional value for him.

He often referred to it as his “lucky shop” and made it a point to personally check accounts whenever he was in the city. After becoming municipal council president in 1973, he shifted to a new residence near Water Tank Park (Gundi Circle).

Shivashankarappa’s entry into public life began as a director of Janata Bazaar, followed by a role in the Urban Cooperative Society. At the insistence of his uncle, Shamanur Shivanna, he entered electoral politics, becoming a municipal councillor in 1969 and serving as municipal council president from 1971 to 1973.

In 1994, he was elected as an MLA for the first time from Davangere South, marking the start of an uninterrupted political journey. Reflecting on his path, he once said politics was accidental, driven by family persuasion rather than ambition, yet it led him to serve as legislator, MP and minister.

Married to Parvathamma in 1956, Shivashankarappa headed a large family. The couple had three sons and four daughters. His sons S.S. Bakkesh, S. Ganesh and S.S. Mallikarjun are engaged in business and politics, while his daughters and daughters-in-law, including Dr Prabha Mallikarjun—now the MP from Davangere—have also made their mark.

From trade to governance, Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s life reflects perseverance, adaptability and an enduring bond with Davangere.

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