Politics
‘When I Was Born, I Was Very Cute’: DK Shivakumar’s Childhood Stories Reveal the Journey Behind Karnataka’s Chief Minister
An excerpt from Rasheed Kidwai’s biography on DK Shivakumar offers a glimpse into the Karnataka Chief Minister’s childhood, family values, school life, and the early leadership qualities that shaped his political journey.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has shared a series of nostalgic childhood memories, recalling his early years in a close-knit family, his mischievous school days, and the experiences that laid the foundation for his political career.
In an excerpt from Rasheed Kidwai’s biography DK Shivakumar, published with permission from Hachette India, the veteran Congress leader reflects on everything from family traditions and school elections to the moment he decided to dedicate his life to politics.
‘When I was born, I was very cute’
Recalling stories narrated by his mother, Shivakumar says his childhood was filled with affection from his extended family.”When I was born, I was very cute, and my aunts would lift me up, pamper me and play with me. I felt very happy whenever my mother narrated these incidents from my childhood.”
He also fondly remembered how his mother would prepare boxes filled with homemade snacks such as chakli, nippattu, and sweets, which he eagerly enjoyed.
A childhood rooted in family traditions
According to the biography, Shivakumar’s family followed a long-standing naming tradition. Boys born into the family were generally named Kempegowda, while girls were named Kempamma.
After his parents sought the blessings of the revered deity Shivaladappa while praying for a child, his mother eventually named him Shivakumar, combining tradition with faith.
Growing up in Mallaladahalli, Shivakumar spent his childhood in a large joint family with nearly 25 cousins, creating memories filled with games, laughter, and shared experiences.
The swimming incident that changed everything
One of the most memorable stories from his childhood involves an attempt to learn swimming in a pool located within the family’s ancestral property.
As a young boy, Shivakumar nearly drowned before his cousins managed to rescue him by pulling him out of the water.
The frightening incident left a lasting impact, and he reportedly avoided going near the pool thereafter.
School days full of mischief
Education was important to Shivakumar’s parents, despite their own limited formal schooling.
He first attended school in Sathanur (Kanakapura) before moving to Bengaluru, where he studied at National Public School (NPS), followed by Carmel School and Vidya Vardhaka School.
His eighth-standard teacher, Parvathi, remembered him as an energetic and mischievous student who rarely stayed seated in one classroom.
Despite his playful nature, she always believed he possessed extraordinary determination—a belief she says was vindicated when he took oath as Karnataka’s Chief Minister in 2026.
Politics fascinated him from an early age
Shivakumar admits he was never deeply interested in academics, instead developing a passion for sports, public speaking, and student leadership.
One of the defining moments came during student elections at Carmel School, where he claimed to have secured the highest number of votes despite another student being declared the official winner.
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According to Shivakumar, the school created the position of Sports Secretary for him, while many classmates continued to recognise his leadership abilities.
Unable to contest another school election later, he backed a friend instead—and watched him win.
Dream of becoming a politician
Looking back, Shivakumar believes his fascination with politics began during his teenage years.
He credits school debates, election campaigns, and public speaking opportunities for shaping his confidence and leadership skills.
By the age of 15 or 16, he says he had already decided that politics—not academics—would define his future.
His sister Manjula also recalled an incident where Shivakumar discouraged her from relying on fortune tellers, telling her that people shape their own destinies through their actions.
From a mischievous student to Karnataka’s Chief Minister
The memoir paints a portrait of a young boy who loved sports, enjoyed family life, and displayed leadership long before entering public life.
Today, as Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Shivakumar’s journey from a small village in Kanakapura to one of the state’s most influential political leaders continues to attract public attention, with his childhood stories offering a rare insight into the experiences that shaped his personality.
