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'Gowda' ( Gauda or Gowdru) is usually the name given to the head of the family or family group in the state of Karnataka in India. It is similar to Vokkaliga or Goundar or Kaoundar of Tamilnadu
It is derived from Archaic Tamil-Kannada term 'Kavunda' denoting a village or family head. People belonging to certain castes and communities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu use it as a surname. Gowda or vokkaliga or Gowdar is commonly used as surnames by people belonging to Kuruba, Lingayat,Vokkaliga, Ediga,madiga communities. Many more people of different communities use Gowda as surnames. Communities like Vokkaliga, Ediga, Kuruba, Yadava, Golla, Uppaara, Nayaka have similar culture and food habits (eg. non-vegetarians by diet, Hindus by religion). However there are certain Gowda's sect that are strictly vegetarians. For example Namadhary Gowdas are strict vegetarians. Some sects of lingayats in Karnataka use Gowda as surname and they are also very strict vegetarians. Many gowdas converted to lingayats during the bhakti revolution under the leadership of Basavanna during 12 century. Thats why many lingayats still has gowda(gouda) as their sir name.
It is the second largest cummunity in karnataka after the Lingayats. Gowda community has played an important role in the economy of karnataka and India.
Popular Gowda personalities are; S M Krishna, Kengal hanumantaiah, Kuvempu, H D Devegowda, Venkatachalaiah, Hamsalekha, Actor Jaggesh, H D Kumara swamy, Sri Kempegowda, Actor turned politician Ambareesh, Ex (and late) Chief Justice Hombegowda, Bala Gangadhara Swamiji, G K Veeresh, Purna Chandra Tejaswi etc.

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