The list of famous personalities from Mysore starts with R.K. Narayan, whose fictional Malgudi town was inspired by the lanes around Yadavagiri where he lived at 2989, Laxmipuram. His house, now a museum, still receives 50 visitors daily who photograph the desk where Swami and Friends was written. The Chamundi Hills path he walked every morning appears in The Guide, while Kukkarahalli Lake features in The English Teacher – locals still call the eastern bench “Narayan’s spot” where he observed city life for four decades.
Literary Giants from Mysore
Kuvempu (K.V. Puttappa), Karnataka’s Rashtrakavi, spent his later years at Udayaravi in Mysore’s Kuvempunagar – the entire neighborhood named after him. His house on 5th Cross maintains his writing room exactly as he left it in 1994. The mango tree he planted in 1960 still bears fruit, distributed free to visitors every May. His epic Ramayana Darshanam, written in this house, revolutionized Kannada literature.
U.R. Ananthamurthy lived on Vivekananda Road near Kukkarahalli Lake from 1970-1985, writing Samskara that shook Karnataka’s conservative society. The coffee shop at Gandhi Square where he held court every evening 5-7 PM became intellectual headquarters. Current owner Prakash still points to the corner table saying “Ananthamurthy sir sat here arguing about everything.”
Poet Gopalakrishna Adiga’s house in Lakshmipuram hosted legendary literary meetings every Sunday. Writers like P. Lankesh, Chandrashekhara Kambara, and Girish Karnad gathered here through the 1970s. The house, now apartments, has a plaque reading “Here bloomed modern Kannada literature.”
Film Industry Icons
Tiger Prabhakar, Kannada cinema’s original angry young man, was born in Sagara but made Mysore home. His Jayalakshmipuram house became pilgrimage site for aspiring actors. The gym he established on Hunsur Road in 1985 still operates, with his photo watching over wrestlers. His death in 2001 saw 100,000 people at Town Hall, unprecedented for any actor.
Director Puttanna Kanagal’s rented house near Kalidasa Road witnessed creation of classics like Sharapanjara and Naagarahaavu. The tamarind tree where he sat scripting remains untouched by the current owners. Film students still visit seeking inspiration from the “master of human emotions.”
Actor Ambareesh (M.H. Ambareesh), though from Mandya, studied at Yuvaraja College Mysore, staying at University Hostel Room 23 (now preserved). His political rallies at Jaganmohan Palace grounds drew larger crowds than any chief minister. The tea stall outside Suburban Bus Stand where he ate during college still displays his photos.
Musicians Who Shaped Culture
Mysore Vasudevachar, composer of hundreds of Carnatic compositions, lived on Sayyaji Rao Road. His house hosted the who’s who of Carnatic music. The room where he composed remains a shrine for musicians. Every Dasara, musicians perform his compositions at the exact spot where he taught.
T. Chowdiah, violin maestro who modified the instrument to seven strings, practiced at Chowdiah Memorial Hall that bears his name. His Yadavagiri house, where he gave free lessons to poor students, produced 50+ professional violinists. The mango tree under which he taught summer classes stands marked with a plaque.
Mysore Narasimhachar, court musician and composer, created music for Mysore Palace ceremonies still used today. His descendants in Agrahara continue the tradition, teaching palace music to selected students. The notation system he developed remains standard for Mysore style compositions.
Famous Personalities from Mysore Sports
Javagal Srinath, India’s fastest bowler, learned cricket at Gangotri Glades ground near Bogadi Road. The pitch where he bowled his first ball aged 12 has a concrete marker. His coaching academy near Ring Road has produced 15 Ranji players. Locals remember him buying cricket balls for poor kids at National Sports store on Ashoka Road.
Rahul Dravid’s connection runs deep – though from Bangalore, he married Vijeta Pendharkar from Mysore’s prominent surgeon family. Their wedding reception at Lalitha Mahal Palace saw 2,000 guests. He regularly visits her family home in Jayalakshmipuram, playing gully cricket with neighborhood kids during Dasara.
Reeth Abraham, India’s long-distance running champion, trained on Chamundi Hills steps every morning at 4:30 AM through the 1980s. Her record timings, painted on the 1000th step, inspire current athletes. The athletics track at University grounds where she practiced is named after her.
Scientists and Innovators
Dr. C.N.R. Rao, Bharat Ratna recipient and chemist, studied at Central College Mysore (1947-1951), staying at Hindu Hostel. His room on second floor bears a plaque. The chemistry lab where he conducted first experiments remains functional. He visits annually, conducting free lectures for students.
Dr. Raja Ramanna, nuclear physicist who led Pokhran-I, graduated from Maharaja College in 1948. His physics professor K. Srinivasa Rao’s house on Contour Road, where Ramanna studied privately, stands marked as heritage site. The equation he wrote on the classroom blackboard was preserved under glass until renovation in 2010.
N.R. Narayana Murthy’s Infosys brought IT revolution to Mysore in 1999. Though from Sidlaghatta, his decision to open Mysore campus transformed the city. The room at Mylasandra where he signed the agreement is preserved at Infosys campus. 30,000 jobs created changed Mysore’s economic landscape permanently.
Political Leaders and Reformers
H.D. Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister, studied at L.V. Polytechnic Mysore in 1953. His hostel room at Nazarbad became unofficial political office during student days. The banyan tree near NR Mohalla under which he gave first political speech in 1962 carries commemorative stone.
M. Visvesvaraya, though associated with all Karnataka, spent final years (1956-1962) at Bangalore. But his engineering college in Mysore, established 1946, produced thousands of engineers. The workshop where he demonstrated models stands unchanged, his tools still displayed.
S. Nijalingappa, former Congress president, practiced law at Mysore courts (1926-1930). His office on Narasimharaja Boulevard, now a textile shop, has his nameplate preserved inside. Court stenographers still tell stories of his brilliant arguments in murder cases.
Artists and Cultural Icons
K. Venkatappa, artist whose paintings define Mysore style, worked from his Chamarajapuram studio for 40 years. The studio, maintained by his trust, displays unfinished paintings exactly as he left them. Art students copy his color-mixing techniques written on the walls.
Jagan Mohan Palace itself was built by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, whose patronage created modern Mysore’s cultural identity. His daily routine, documented in palace records, shows 3 hours dedicated to arts. The instruments he played, brushes he painted with remain displayed.
Y.G. Narasimhan (Y.G. Srimati), theater personality, established Mysore’s drama culture. His Yavanika theater group’s office on Dhanvantri Road maintains archives of 500+ plays performed since 1960. The makeup room where he transformed into characters preserves his mirrors and costumes.
Modern Achievers Continuing Legacy
Anil Kumble, though Bangalore-based, owns farmhouse near Srirangapatna where he holidays. His cricket academy partnership with SJCE Mysore coaches 200 students free. The pitch where he bowls during visits is maintained at international standards.
Prakash Padukone’s badminton academy branch in Mysore (established 2010) at Infosys campus trains national-level players. He visits quarterly, conducting personal coaching. His signed racquet at Chamundi Sports inspired hundreds to take up badminton.
Sudha Murthy’s Infosys Foundation work impacts thousands of Mysore students through scholarships. Her library donations to 50 government schools created reading culture. Teachers say her annual visits to distribute books personally motivate students more than any government scheme.
Business Leaders from Mysore
R. Guru, founder of Cycle Pure Agarbathies, started from a small shop on Sayyaji Rao Road in 1948. The shop, still operational, sells the same Three Roses brand that became India’s largest. His grandson maintains the original hand-rolling demonstration for visitors.
B.S. Nagesh, founder of Shoppers Stop, studied at Hardwicke College Mysore. His first retail experiment at Gandhi Square in 1975 failed, but taught lessons that built India’s retail giant. The shop space now houses a mobile store with his photo inside.
TTK Group’s connection through T.T. Vasu, who managed Mysore operations from Yadavagiri office, brought pressure cooker revolution. The first Prestige cooker sold in Mysore (1959) is displayed at their Ashoka Road showroom.
Unsung Heroes Worth Remembering
Prof. H.S. Mukunda, aerospace scientist who designed India’s first indigenous aircraft Hansa, studied at NIE Mysore. His hostel room window still has the paper airplane designs he pasted. Students preserve them as inspiration.
Dr. B.R. Naik, botanist who documented Western Ghats flora, used Mysore as base for 40 years. His herbarium at Manasagangotri campus contains 10,000 specimens. Researchers worldwide still reference his work. The gulmohar tree he planted at campus entrance blooms spectacularly every April.
For more cultural insights, explore our Mysore cultural heritage guide. Visit Mysore Palace website for royal family historical connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person from Mysore?
R.K. Narayan remains most internationally recognized, with books translated into 40+ languages. Locally, Kuvempu holds equal reverence as Rashtrakavi. Among living personalities, Anil Kumble and N.R. Narayana Murthy have maximum impact.
Which areas in Mysore are named after famous personalities?
Kuvempunagar (after Kuvempu), Visvesvarayanagar (after M. Visvesvaraya), Vivekananda Road, Jaganmohan Palace (after Krishnaraja Wadiyar III), Chowdiah Memorial Hall, and numerous streets honor local heroes.
Can we visit houses of famous personalities?
R.K. Narayan’s house is museum (20 entry). Kuvempu’s house opens for public occasionally. Most others are private residences or converted buildings. Palace grounds and public institutions offer better access.
Which celebrities currently live in Mysore?
Privacy prevents exact details, but several film stars own farmhouses around city. Business leaders like Biocon’s connections, retired sports personalities, and writers maintain homes here. Dasara sees many celebrity visitors.
How has Mysore produced so many achievers?
Royal patronage of education and arts, prestigious institutions like University of Mysore (1916), peaceful environment for creativity, and cultural emphasis on learning created ecosystem nurturing talent across fields.
Published: March 2025 | Heritage walks available on weekends