Prof. Basappa Krishnappa (1938–1997) was born in Madiga Community, in Harihara,Davangere District. His father's name is Dasappala Basappa and mother's is Chowdamma. He is a pioneer of the Dalit literary movement in Kannada and the founder president of Dalit Sangarsha Samiti, the radical Dalit advocacy group. He taught at the Sir M. Vishweshwariah College in Bhadravathi for thirty years before retiring as principal. He is acknowledged as an important literary critic.
A social revolutionary Krishnappa's presence is felt in most of the landmark Dalit struggles of Karnataka, especially those aimed at getting land for Dalits and fighting for Dalit women's self-respect.
"Dalit Literature" in The Exercise of Freedom: An Introduction to Dalit Writing, Ed. Satyanarayana and Tharu
B. Krishnappa, along with Siddalingaiah and others, was one of the founders of Dalita Sangharsha Samiti.