Moily was the former Chief Minister (and the first ethnic Tuluva CM) of the Indian state of Karnataka (19 November 1992 – 11 December 1994).

[2] [citation needed] Veerappa Moily was born in a Tulu-speaking family in Marpadi Village, Moodbidri erstwhile South Canara.

It is a Kannada novel Tembare which examines, a complex cultural practice of coastal Karnataka, called bhutaradhane, or the worship of hero-spirits.

Mr. Moily explored two responses to this traditional and exploitative profession through two Pambada brothers: one who rebels and opts for formal education, and the other who tries to revive the true spirit of the ancient practice.

Mr. Moily is an advocate by profession, he entered politics about four decades ago and he became the chief minister of Karnataka in the year 1992.

He has served as a regular columnist for The Hindu and Deccan Herald (both English newspapers) and for Samyukta Karnataka, a Kannada daily.