D. Mangala Priyadarshini is a noted Kannada woman critic and also a popular orator on Navodaya Sahitya, Shrujana Shaitya, Veerashiva Saahitya and Streevada (Feminism). As of 2012, she worked as Principal of Vidya Vardhaka Sangha Degree College for Women. She was a faculty member at Sheshadripuram College. She published approximately 20 books and many articles. She was also awarded the "Best Woman Critic" award. She appeared in televised discussions and radio talk shows.
Managala was born in Challakare to B. V. Dakshina Murthy, in the Mulukunadu Brahmin family, and noted Kannada writer Vishalakshi Dakshinamurthy. Raised in Bangalore, from a young age she was exposed to the literary world. At 22, she married scientist S. A. Pandit. She has a one daughter, Mridula Pandit.