[1] He was born in the coastal village of Mogeri, Udupi district, in Karnataka State.

After primary education in Mogeri and Baindooru, he went to high school in Kundapur.

[2] As editor of Saakshi magazine he helped bring Kannada literature to the masses.

[3] Adiga's grandson is Manu Raju, Senior Political reporter for CNN.

Inspired by modern Western literature and Indian tradition, he set out to portray the "disillusionment and angst of the times".