Nijasharana Shri Ambigara Chowdaiya was a saint, poet and social critic in 12th century India. He was a ferryman or boatman(Nishad) who went to Kalyan, joined the Virashaiva Movement there and followed Lingayatism. Influenced by Basavanna, his somewhat crude writings were critical of the higher castes.[1] He has been described by K. A. Paniker as the angriest of the poets in the Vachana Movement.[2] Revered as a saint because of his 274 inspiring Pravachana, he also challenged those who harassed women and those he considered to be religious charlatans.[citation needed] He taught that god certainly dwells in the heart of one who is pure in thoughts, words and deed.[3]
A cave is named after Chowdaiya on the outskirts of Basavakalyan in Karnataka[citation needed] and that state's Department of Kannada and Culture assists in the annual celebrations of his jayanti.[4]
Some of the castes which follow the ideologies of Nijasharana Ambigara Chowdaiya are Ambigara, Kabbera, Gangamatastha, Kabbaliga, Bestha, Barki, Gaurimata, Mogaveera, Sunagara, etc. Almost all of these reside in the South Indian part mainly Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh - Telangana. People are called with different names (Kabbera, Ambiga, Gangamatastha, etc.) in different regions. The name Amibga comes from the occupation of the founder i.e Ferryman or the Boatman.
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