Sri Shilpi Siddanthi Siddalinga Swami

Sri Shilpi Siddanthi Siddalinga Swami (Kannada, ಶ್ರೀ ಶಿಲ್ಪಿ ಸಿದ್ದನ್ತಿ ಸಿದ್ದಲಿಂಗ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ; 20 Nov 1885 — 11 July 1952) 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 and career
Sri Siddalinga Swami was born to Siddappaji and mother Mallajamma, a Poursheya Brahmin (Vishwabrahmin) family, near Kollegal in 1885. Since childhood he was well versed in his family traits. Around 1908, he had an opportunity to work in Mysore under Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. He composed ‘Manasara’, 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, 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.