Kalastavadi Puttaswamy (1917 - 1978) was an Indian lawyer, and a senior Indian National Congress politician,^[2] who remained a member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly (1952–1977), three times from Mysore, subsequently twice from Chamundeshwari constituency and once from Chamaraja consistency,^[3][4] who also served as Minister of various ministries of Government of Karnataka, including Labour, Public Administration and Health & Housing.^[5] He has also remained member of the Constituent Assembly in 1948.^[6]

The neutrality of this article is disputed. (January 2014)

Quick Facts K Puttaswamy, Minister of Labour, Law and Parliamentary affairs, Karnataka ...

K Puttaswamy
Minister of Labour, Law and Parliamentary affairs, Karnataka
In office 1968 - 1971
Chief Minister	Veerendra Patil
Minister of Health and Housing, Karnataka
In office 1967 - 1968
Chief Minister	S. Nijalingappa
Minister of Co-operation and Housing, Karnataka
In office 1965 - 1967
Chief Minister	S. Nijalingappa
Minister of Municipal administration, Karnataka
In office 1962 - 1965
Chief Minister	S. Nijalingappa
Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly
In office Mar 1978 - 30 April 1978
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	B. N. Kengegowda
Constituency	Chamaraja
In office 1967 - 1977
Preceded by	Himself (As MLA of Mysore)
Succeeded by	D. Jayadevaraja Urs
Constituency	Chamundeshwari
In office 1957 - 1967
Preceded by	Shivananje Gowda (As MLA of Mysore Taluk)
Succeeded by	Himself (As MLA of Chamundeshwari)
Constituency	Mysore
In office 1951 - 1957
Preceded by	Seat established
Succeeded by	A. G. Chunche Gowda[1]
Constituency	Shrirangapattana
Personal details
Born	1917 Arakere, Mysore district, Kingdom of Mysore (Now Mandya district, Karnataka
Died	30 Apr 1978 (60/61 years)
Political party	Janata Party (1977–1978)
Other political affiliations	Indian National Congress (Before 1977) Congress for Democracy (1977)
Spouse	Jayalakshamma
Parents	Lingegowda (father) Lingamma (mother)

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He was born in 1917 to an agriculturist family as the first son of Late Sri. Kalastavadi Srilingegowda and Late Smt. Lingamma.

From his childhood he was very studious, always ahead in his studies, quiet and more thoughtful. He secured Hons. Degree in Psychology from the University of Mysore. Later he did his Law Degree in Poona Law College. Besides, being a good student, he involved himself in curricular activities. He was a freedom fighter. Later he became the President of Mysore City Corporation, President of District Cooperative Society and he was elected as a Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, from Mysore city. He was also a member of Mysore University Senate and Syndicate.

His exemplary behaviour, promptness, his love of serving the people made him rise to the level of a Minister under the guidance of the then Chief Minister S. Nijalingappa. He served as a Cabinet Minister of Health, Co-operation, Law and Labour very efficiently.^[7]

His son P. Vishwanath was the first Mayor of Mysore.^[7][8]

Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Mysore, a dream of Late K. Puttaswamy made its humble beginning in the year 1948-49 with an intention of propagating education to the poorer sections of the society, at a small choultry in Mysore. He was a true Gandhian, social worker, political leader and a disciplined person who dedicated his whole life to the betterment of the downtrodden people.

Vidyavardhaka Educational Institution has since grown by leaps and bounds. It imparts education not only at high school level, but also Nursery, Primary, Junior, Degree, Law, Engineering, JOC, ITI, Diploma and Management courses, including Vidya Vardhaka College of Engineering.^[9]

Now Vidyavardhaka Sangha stands as one of the prestigious educational institutions in the Heritage City of Mysore. This has been possible because of the dedication and pragmatic approach towards education by Late K. Puttaswamy. All these have materialized because of the services and contributions by great philanthropist whose main motto was "Service before Self" and "Education for all".