Mahakavi Manja

Modern Mahakavi Manja, also known simply as Manja, is a teacher, modern poet and performer from Karnataka's Vijayanagara district. He became one of the most distinctive faces of Bigg Boss Kannada Agnipariksha because of his habit of speaking in rhymes, mixing rapid wordplay, humour, mimicry and performance into ordinary conversations.

His Agnipariksha appearances created attention before the main season began. A rhyming exchange with rapper and jury member Chandan Shetty became one of the memorable moments of the selection show, helping establish Manja as a contestant with an identity very different from conventional television and film entrants.

Manja's route to Season 13 was through the commoner-selection process rather than a direct celebrity invitation. Three Agnipariksha seats were decided through audience voting, while the fourth place was reserved for a jury choice. Manja received that jury-selected place and became the fourth Agnipariksha contestant to enter the main Bigg Boss Kannada Season 13 house.

He also became known for the lengths he was willing to go during the pre-show, including taking part in unusual challenges and even partially shaving his head as part of the competitive process. His entry therefore represents a full pre-season journey from open commoner selection to the main televised house.

Manja entered Season 13 on 6 September 2026. His Agnipariksha days are not counted as Bigg Boss Kannada Season 13 house days; nominations, captaincy, eviction status and final placement should be recorded separately as the live season develops.