Andayya
Encyclopedia
Andayya was a notable 13th-century Kannada writer during the rule of the Hoysala empire
. Andayya was a Jain by faith and came from a family of accountants. His most important work that has come down to us is the Kabbigara Kava ("Poets' Defender") which also goes by the names Sobagina Suggi ("Harvest of Beauty"), Madana Vijaya ("Triumph of Cupid") or Kavana Gella ("Cupid's Conquest") and was written in the 1217–1235 CE period. This writing is considered important in Medieval Kannada literature
for its strict adherence to indigenous (desya) Kannada words and naturalised Sanskrit
words (tadbhava), avoiding assimilated Sanskrit words (tatsamas) entirely.
(1130–1217) against the Hoysala king Veera Ballala II
. Kama
, the God of Love, finds an important place in Jain writings and hence Andayya wrote about the victory of Kama over Ishwara (Hindu God Shiva) in a battle fought in the Himalayas
(the abode of Ishwara), thus connecting a mythological event to a historical one. One of work's alternate names, Kavana Gella, found in the colophon also suggests this. The possibility that this writing was yet another subtle weapon in the intensifying conflict between the Jains, who had dominated the Kannada literary culture in the centuries prior, and the growing popularity of the Veerashaivas is not lost on historians. However, the influence of Harihara
(a Veerashaiva poet) on Andayya is also evident in this work.
Some historians believe that the strict adherence to chaste Kannada words and naturalised Sanskrit words only may have been the author's rebuttal to mainstream writers who may have claimed that writing literature in Kannada without using pure Sanskrit words was not possible. This trend, it is known, was started by some authors such as Nayasena (c. 1112) who wrote the Dharmamruta choosing only those Sanskrit words that fit well with the Kannada vocabulary. Andayya made his intention of using only pure Kannada clear, "without flashy Sanskrit", when he called Sanskrit by its Prakrit name "Sakkada". While the Kannada literature of earlier great poets like Adikavi Pampa
(c.941) was strongly based on a Sanskritic tradition, Andayya attempts to achieve the same goal of writing a classical piece using a different technique, a practice not followed by later generation of Kannada writers.
Kabbigara Kava was written in the champu style (mixed prose-verse) and consists of 272 poems with some prose passages in it. In a deviation from the earlier versions of the story where Kama is burnt to ashes by Ishwara, Andayya gives Kama prominence and makes him victorious in battle with Ishwara, the reason for the contest being the moon
that Shiva had taken possession of, but which actually belonged to Kama's army. Andayya further enhances Kama's victory by turning Ishwara in a half woman (Ardhanariswara). Kama for his part, incurs Ishwara's curse and experiences separation from his beloved Rati
, is born as a mortal on earth but finally re-unites with Rati after a long separation.
Hoysala Empire
The Hoysala Empire was a prominent South Indian Kannadiga empire that ruled most of the modern day state of Karnataka between the 10th and the 14th centuries. The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur but was later moved to Halebidu....
. Andayya was a Jain by faith and came from a family of accountants. His most important work that has come down to us is the Kabbigara Kava ("Poets' Defender") which also goes by the names Sobagina Suggi ("Harvest of Beauty"), Madana Vijaya ("Triumph of Cupid") or Kavana Gella ("Cupid's Conquest") and was written in the 1217–1235 CE period. This writing is considered important in Medieval Kannada literature
Medieval Kannada literature
Medieval Kannada literature covered a wide range of subjects and genres which can broadly be classified under the Jain, Virashaiva, Vaishnava and secular traditions. These include writings from the 7th century rise of the Badami Chalukya empire to the 16th century, coinciding with the decline of...
for its strict adherence to indigenous (desya) Kannada words and naturalised Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
words (tadbhava), avoiding assimilated Sanskrit words (tatsamas) entirely.
Magnum opus
Researchers are of the opinion that Kabbigara Kava was written for multiple reasons. It is believed that the writing may have been inspired by the military success of Kadamba king Kamadeva of BanavasiBanavasi
Banavasi is an ancient temple town in Uttara Kannada District bordering Shivamogga district in the South Indian state of Karnataka .-History:Banavasi is one of the oldest towns in the Karnataka state...
(1130–1217) against the Hoysala king Veera Ballala II
Veera Ballala II
Veera Ballala II was the greatest monarch of the Hoysala Empire. This is proven by his successes against the Seuna, Southern Kalachuri, and the waning Kalyani Chalukya dynasties. He caused the demise of the Kalyani Chalukya dynasty. His period also saw prolific literary activity in Kannada. He...
. Kama
Kamadeva
Kāmadeva is the Hindu god of human love or desire. Other names for him include; Atanu , Ragavrinta , Ananga , Kandarpa , Manmatha , Manasija ,...
, the God of Love, finds an important place in Jain writings and hence Andayya wrote about the victory of Kama over Ishwara (Hindu God Shiva) in a battle fought in the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
(the abode of Ishwara), thus connecting a mythological event to a historical one. One of work's alternate names, Kavana Gella, found in the colophon also suggests this. The possibility that this writing was yet another subtle weapon in the intensifying conflict between the Jains, who had dominated the Kannada literary culture in the centuries prior, and the growing popularity of the Veerashaivas is not lost on historians. However, the influence of Harihara
Harihara (poet)
Harihara was a noted Kannada poet and writer in the 12th century. A native of Halebidu in modern Hassan district, he came from a family of accountants and initially served in that capacity in the court of Hoysala King Narasimha I . Later, he moved to Hampi and authored many classics...
(a Veerashaiva poet) on Andayya is also evident in this work.
Some historians believe that the strict adherence to chaste Kannada words and naturalised Sanskrit words only may have been the author's rebuttal to mainstream writers who may have claimed that writing literature in Kannada without using pure Sanskrit words was not possible. This trend, it is known, was started by some authors such as Nayasena (c. 1112) who wrote the Dharmamruta choosing only those Sanskrit words that fit well with the Kannada vocabulary. Andayya made his intention of using only pure Kannada clear, "without flashy Sanskrit", when he called Sanskrit by its Prakrit name "Sakkada". While the Kannada literature of earlier great poets like Adikavi Pampa
Adikavi Pampa
Pampa , called by the honorific Ādikavi is one of the greatest Kannada poets of all time.He is very famous even today for his philosophical beliefs...
(c.941) was strongly based on a Sanskritic tradition, Andayya attempts to achieve the same goal of writing a classical piece using a different technique, a practice not followed by later generation of Kannada writers.
Kabbigara Kava was written in the champu style (mixed prose-verse) and consists of 272 poems with some prose passages in it. In a deviation from the earlier versions of the story where Kama is burnt to ashes by Ishwara, Andayya gives Kama prominence and makes him victorious in battle with Ishwara, the reason for the contest being the moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
that Shiva had taken possession of, but which actually belonged to Kama's army. Andayya further enhances Kama's victory by turning Ishwara in a half woman (Ardhanariswara). Kama for his part, incurs Ishwara's curse and experiences separation from his beloved Rati
Rati
Rati is the Hindu goddess of love, carnal desire, lust, passion and sexual pleasure. Usually described as the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, Rati is the female counterpart, the chief consort and the assistant of Kama , the god of love. A constant companion of Kama, she is often depicted with him in...
, is born as a mortal on earth but finally re-unites with Rati after a long separation.