L.Basavaraju (born 1919 at Idaguru in Kolar district in Karnataka) was a highly decorated Kannada scholar. He was the author of over 56 works and his contribution to Kannada literature spread over 40 years. Prof. L. Basavaraju's works have been lauded by many scholars and veteran Kannada litterateurs. Dr. Basavaraju died on the night of 29 January 2012 at Mysore.