Shivakumara Swami (born Shivanna; 1 April 1907 – 21 January 2019)[5] was an Indian humanitarian, spiritual leader, educator and supercentenarian.

[2] Shivanna was born on 1 April 1907 in Veerapura, a village near Magadi in the former Kingdom of Mysore (in present-day Ramanagara district of Karnataka state) in a Vokkaliga family.

Having been devoted followers of the deities Gangadhareshwara and Honnadevi, Shivanna's parents took him to the shrines in Shivagange, and other religious centres around Veerapura.

[12] Shivanna completed his elementary education in a rural Anglo-vernacular school in Nagavalli, a village in the present-day Tumkur district.

[14] Shivanna ended his attendance at college before earning a bachelor's degree because he had been named successor to Uddana Shivayogi Swami as head of the Siddaganga Matha.

The houses are open to children from all religions, castes, and creeds who are provided free food, education, and shelter (Trividha Daasoha).

[20] A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, visited him at Tumkur and praised Swami's humanitarian work and initiatives in education.

[33][34] The Government of Karnataka declared a public holiday on 22 January as part of the three-day state mourning period in a mark of respect.