Sri Shilpi Siddanthi Siddalinga Swami

Sri Shilpi Siddanthi Siddalinga Swami was a royal guru of Mysore State and personal guru of Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar of Mysore. He was also a prominent painter, sculptor, architect and writer, known for his contribution to Mysore painting and architecture.

Early life

Sri Siddalinga Swami was born to Siddappaji and mother Mallajamma, a veerashaiva jangam family, near Kollegal in 1885. Since childhood, he was well versed in his family traits.

Career

Around 1908, he had an opportunity to work in Mysore under Maharaja Krishna Raja Wadiyar IV.
He composed Manasar’, a bibliography of Indian sculptural art with emphases on Hoysala and early Chalukyan art. His other famous works include Gurugita and Shivagita on sculpture and painting with his own commentary.
Later, he founded a sculpture school opposite to the Kamakameshwari temple in Mysore. The school was named Jagadguru Shaivashilpa Brahmarshi Gurukula and it was inaugurated by Maharajah Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar in 1949.
Sri Siddalinga Swami served as official palace artist until his death in 1952.