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 Lohiaite 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.