K. Shivram

Shivaramu Kempaiah (6 April 1953 – 29 February 2024), better known by the name K. Shivramu, was an Indian actor, politician, and bureaucrat.

Early life and education
K. Shivramu was born on 6 April 1953 at Uragalli, Ramanagara District. His father was a talented drama master, the late S. Kempaiah, and his mother was Chikkaboramma. Having completed his primary schooling in his village, he moved to Bangalore and studied high school at Malleshwaram Government School. During 1972, right after his high schooling, he completed his typing and shorthand course both in English and Kannada and got into a government job. In May 1973, he joined the Crime Investigation Department as a police reporter. While in service, he continued his studies and got a Bachelor of Arts degree from V. V. Puram Evening College of Arts & Commerce. He got a Master of Arts (History) degree through correspondence from the open university of Mysore in the year 1982. In 1985, he cleared the K.A.S. exam and was selected as Deputy superintendent of Police. In the year 1986, he secured first rank among the Scheduled Caste community in the Karnataka Administrative Service exam and got selected as Assistant commissioner of police. While he was undergoing training at Karnataka Police Academy, he cleared the civil services exam (UPSC) and was selected for the I.A.S. which had been his childhood dream. He also held the distinction of being the first person in India to clear the IAS Exam in the Kannada Language.

Political career
In 2013, K. Shivramu joined the Indian National Congress after retirement from his position as Bangalore Regional Commissioner.

In 2014, he was a Janata Dal (Secular) member and contested Bijapur Lok Sabha constituency and lost the election against Ramesh Jigajinagi.

In 2014, he again rejoined the Indian National Congress in support of getting the Deputy Chief Minister's post for any Dalit leader, which led to "a controversy of supporting Dr G. Parameshwar".

On 14 October 2016, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after failing to recognise a Dalit in a higher place in Indian National Congress politics.

Health issues and death
Shivram was battling multiple health issues and was undergoing treatment. He died of a heart attack on 29 February 2024, at the age of 70.