Kannadigas
Encyclopedia
Kannadiga or Kannadati (Kannada
: ಕನ್ನಡತಿ |feminine
) is a reference to the people who natively speak the Kannada language
. Kannadigas are mainly located in the state of Karnataka
in India
and in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh
, Tamil Nadu
, Kerala
, Goa
and Maharashtra
. The frequently used English plural form is Kannadigas.
Kannadigas are people who speak Kannada, its variants or its various dialect
s as their mother tongue
. Various districts of Karnataka have mixed variations of dialects like Dharwad Kannada
, Sankethi
, Naddvara Kannada, Havigannada
, Bengaluru Kannada
, Are Bhashe
, Mysooru Kannada, Kundagannada
, etc. Janapadas of Soliga
, Badaga
and other tribes of Karnataka having rich contribution to Kannada literature have their own style. Many Kannadigas have emigrated to countries like United States of America, United Kingdom
, Canada
, and Australia
.
Settlement in Karnataka is found to be existent at least from 2nd millennium BC as explored in Brahmagiri archaeological site
near Chitradurga
district, central Karnataka. Chandravalli
exploration has revealed interaction of Roman and Chinese travelers around 2nd and 3rd century BC.
Kannadigas have built powerful empires and kingdoms with Kannada as the official language
. The language was once popular from Kaveri
to Godavari
as mentioned in Kavirajamarga
of 850 CE. Archaeological evidences prove Kannada inscriptions found as far north as Madhya Pradesh
(Inscription of Krishna III
) and Bihar
. The great Karnataka Expansion provides insights to various kingdoms of northern India
whose originators were from Kannada country.
The major empires and kingdoms, their regal capital and most distinguished kings were:
Minor dynasties that have played an important role in the development of Kannada language, culture and polity were, Chutu
s of Banavasi (feudatory to Satavahana Empire
), Tuluva Dynasty
of Canara, Rattas of Saundatti
(Belgaum), Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region), Banas
of Kolar, Nolambas of Nolambavadi, Vaidumbas, Chengalvas, Kongalvas, Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province), Yalahanka Nadaprabhu, Sindas of Yelburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga), Kadambas of Hangal.
In addition, other well known kingdoms that patronized Kannadiga poets and Kannada language were:
The Karnatak Kshatriyas of Bihar
, the Chalukyas of Gujarat, the Chalukyas of Vengi (Eastern Chalukya), the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, the Rashtrakuta family ruling from Berar
(modern Amravati district
, Maharashtra
), and the Rashtrakutas branch of Gujarat (Lata branch), are some possible examples.
Sculpture
has been the epitome of art in Karnataka. Be it the musical pillars of Hampi
, which is listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
, the ekashila (monolithic
) statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali
that was voted by Indians as the first of Seven Wonders of India
, the Yelu Sutthina Kote
of Chitradurga
(The Fort of Seven Laps) cutting across hill or be it the wholesomeness of carvings of temples which bared down all desires to be left out of it and formless (above all forms) all encompassing - the inner garbhagriha
s. The temples of Karnataka had in them many shaili or varieties to credit. Majority of the temples were built using the locally available stones.
Some of the places of interest are:
Pioneer sculptors include:
Modern day contemporaries include visionary architects such as:
Dasa Sahitya
(Kannada: ದಾಸ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) is the literature of Bhakti movement
composed by devotees in honor of Lord Vishnu
or one of his avatar
s. Dasa is literally "servant" in Kannada and sahitya is literature. Haridasas ("servants of God") were preachers of Bhakti
to Vishnu. The bhakti literature of these Haridasas is collectively referred to as Dasa Sahitya. It is composed in the Kannada language.
The Haridasa
s richly contributed to the heritage of Karntataka music. They made an indelible impression on the religious and cultural life of Karnataka by spreading the didactic
teachings in a musical form to the hearts of the common folk. Like other doyens of Indian classical music, these scholars offered prayer to Vishnu through music, called naadopasana. The Lord is described as Samagana priya, and bhakti through music is the most preferred path to 'reach' Him.
The Haridasa compositions are popularly known as Devaranamas. Compositions like Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
, Venkatachala Nilayam, Jagadoddharana, Tamboori
Meetidava are some of the many examples of their scholarly work.
Some noted Haridasas or composers of Dasa Sahitya are:
One of the oldest forms of music in the region is Karnataka Shastreeya Sangeetha
which has evolved over ages. Both Hindustani and Karnataka variations are respected and nurtured by Kannadigas. Bhavageete
and Sugama Sangeetha
are some innovations. Other forms of music include Gamaka
, Joogera Pada and Lavani
. Yakshagana
is also considered a unique and indigenous form of both music and dance of Karnataka.
Contemporary musical thespians are:
Rangabhoomi or the theater culture is a tradition with Kannadigas. While a lot of gadhya or literature is written in praise of the heroic characters of the epics and puranas, there are major works depicting the Kings and their rule. These are called Naataka or plays having wide ranging stages for performance like Rangamancha staged in either theaters or on streets - Bayalata (ಬಯಲಾಟ). As its etymology indicates, bayalu means open-air field and ata means theater. In southern Karnataka, both the eastern and western varieties of Yakshagana
are termed Bayalata, whereas in the north several other distinct genres are also included under the name.
Harikathe
(ಹರಿಕಥೆ), which covers an entire night is another form where one (or more) person tells a story in an outstanding manner accompanied by music at background. It is a common feature to narrate battles, stories, devotions or vratha in front of temples on auspicious days like Dasara
and Maha Shivaratri
. Harikathe is a composite art form composed of story telling, poetry, music, drama, dance, and philosophy. Of late, late-night Harikathe sessions are being organized overseas where Kannadiga population is considerable.
Vasanta Habba
(ವಸಂತ ಹಬ್ಬ), which means "spring festival" in Kannada is a cultural festival organized by the Nrityagram foundation
in Bengaluru
. It is a very popular event and is considered the classical Woodstock of India
. First held in the year 1990, it now attracts the best musicians, dancers and cultural artists from across India. Similarly, Bengaluru Habba (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹಬ್ಬ) is a congregation of art performances at different places of the city which was initiated fairly recently and is successfully celebrated every year. It aims to provide aesthetic entertainment to a wide cultural, social and demographic cross-section of the city's people by partnering with Corporates and other stakeholders since 2003. In 2006, the Government of Karnataka
tried to bring the folklore and art into the city of Bengaluru by initiating Jaanapada Jaatre
(ಜಾನಪದ ಜಾತ್ರೆ) which was hugely successful and received well by art lovers. It is usually held on select weekends in Lalbagh and other parts of the city.
Some famous theatrical, cinematic and television personalities like T P Kailasam, Gubbi Veeranna
, C. Honappa Bhagavathar, G V Iyer, Dr. Rajkumar
, V. Shantaram
, Puttanna Kanagal
, Kalpana
, B. S. Ranga
, B V Karanth
, Girish Kasaravalli
, Shankar Nag
, T.S. Nagabharana, T N Seetharam have contributed for its richness.
The mystic and spirited reliving of various legends of epics are the major depictions in various dance forms. With the theater of battle scenes of heroism, loyalty and treachery, colour and pageantry being the main subjects.
More are adapted with the course of nature and seasons adding colour to the harvesting seasons. Tribal forms of dance can also be found limitedly in the regions inhabited by Soliga
s, of which Pinasee is a traditional dance form. Other tribal dance forms are from the forests of Kodagu
and Western Ghats
.
Some of the folk dances and classical dance forms in Karnataka include:
, Malla Yuddha
, Kathi Varase (which can be seen depicted in Veeragase and similar to sword fighting), Malla Kambha (gymnastics on a pole structure with/without rope) are some of the prominent arts practised.
The Mysore Odeyar
s arrange kaalaga or fights like Vajra Mushti
during Dasara
festival which is made less frightening these days as they are publicly staged. Rock lifting, Bull race, Kusthi, Kabaddi, are popular sports.
Yogasana, Praanayama and health related camps are very popular throughout the state and some of the best Yoga
practitioners can be found here. Art of Living
is one such organization immensely popular all over the world.
In countryside, a dana jaathre (livestock fair) is held which is a conglomeration of people where a local demigod is worshiped and a ratha
or theru (chariots) are moved by the bhakthas and daasoha (free food) is also arranged for the visitors.
North Karnataka has a unique blend of Hindu and Muslim brotherhood with people celebrating festivals in unison and exchanging goodwills owing to great revolutionary Shishunala Sharif
and Guru Govinda Bhatta who had displayed their religious tolerance and spiritual unity of all religions.
Christmas
is celebrated at large in Bengaluru and Mangalooru which host some of the oldest churches and educational institutions of the country. Buddha
, Mahaveera, Shankara
, Basava
nna and Gandhi are remembered on their birth anniversaries.
The Cuisine of Karnataka includes many vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The varieties reflect influences from the food habits of many regions and communities from the three neighbouring South Indian states, as well as the state of Maharashtra
to its north.
Some typical everyday dishes in Kannadiga homes include Bisi Bele Bath
, Jolada Rotti
, Ragi Rotti
, Akki Rotti
, Saaru, Huli, Davanagere Benne Dosa, Ragi mudde
, Chitranna (lemon rice) and Uppittu
. The famous Masala Dosa traces its origin to Udupi cuisine
. Plain and rave Idli, Mysore Masala Dosa and Maddur Vade
are very popular in South Karnataka. Kadabu, a kind of rice dumplings, is a popular and ethnic food in South Malnad regions such as Sakaleshpura, Mudigere
, Somwarapete
, etc. and is consumed along with huchellu (black sesame) chutney.
Among sweets, Mysore Pak
, Dharwad Pedha
, Chiroti, Belagavi Kunda are well known. Hurnagadab, Hurnaholige, Karadanta, Shenga Holige and Sajka have origins in the Malnad region. Indis (chutney
s) of Karnataka have a very distinct taste and flavour. Some popular ones include Shenga indi (groundnut
), Agashi indi, Karal indi, Inichi indi and Mavina indi (mango). Similarly, Karnataka uppinakai (pickles
) too are very distinct from the rest like Mavina kotthu (fine mango pickles), Nimbekai uppinakai (lemon pickles), Tenga Mavina uppinakai (entire mango pickle), gajri uppinkai (carrot pickle) and menshinikai uppinakai (chilli pickle).
Kannadiga male costumes mainly include Panchey
(often tied as Kachche) or Lungi
(wrapping style depends on the region) and a shirt. During the era of Kingdoms, the crowns available mainly were Mysuru Peta and Dharwad Peta. Shalya
is a piece of long cloth which is put on shoulder commonly seen in countryside. Many use Khadi
in their clothing till date of which politicians are prominent ones. Karnataka also has the only village in the country which produces authentic Indian national flags
according to manufacturing process and specifications for the flag are laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards
at Hubli.
Female costumes include Seere
of which Ilakal Seerey and Mysore Silk (Government owned) are famous. Seere also has different variations of draping depending on regions like Kodagu, North and South Karnataka and Karavali. Young women in some parts of Karnataka traditionally wear the Davani
(Half saree).
Urban male costumes comprises a trouser, shirt and sandals while that of females include churidar
and moderate heeled sandals. Jeans are popular among the youth, while new age Khadi/silk printed with art or emblem also find place. Kasuti
is a form of embroidery work which is very popularly sought after art on dress and costumes.
continues into the present day: works of Kannada literature have received eight Jnanpith awards
and fifty-one Sahitya Akademi
awards.
Pampa
, Ranna
and Ponna
are considered as three jewels of Halegannada. Janna
was another notable poet of this genre.
Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi
, Allama Prabhu
, Madhvacharya
, Vidyaranya
, Harihara
, Raghavanka
, Kumara Vyasa
, Sarvajna
, Purandara Dasa
, Kanaka Dasa
, Shishunala Shareefa, Raghavendra Swami
etc. were pioneers of Nadugannada. All these have been inviolved with social and cultural movements and hence this was the golden era of literature which brought about a renaissance in Kannada literature . They all had a characteristic naamankita - insignia - which would denote a power equalling a God in popular comparison. The literature saw the Vachana -said, Tattva
-thatness, Sharana
-saviour (of God), and Dasa
-slave (to God) padas (short poetries) - reach the common man's ignorance into great depths leading to Siddhanta
- philosophies.
Kuvempu
, D. V. Gundappa
, Da Ra Bendre, B. M. Srikantaiah
, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Shivaram Karanth, V K Gokak, U R Ananthamurthy, P. Lankesh
, Girish Karnad
, G S Shivarudrappa, Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar
, Pu thi Narasimhachar
, Chennavira Kanavi, Gopalakrishna Adiga
, TaRaSu
, A N Krishna Rao, Govinda Pai
, S.L. Bhyrappa, Poornachandra Tejaswi
, Thriveni, K. S. Nissar Ahmed
, K.S. Narasimhaswamy, Chandrashekhara Kambara
, Siddhaiah Puranik, G.P. Rajarathnam
, T P Kailasam, Anupama Niranjana
, M. K. Indira
, Dodda Rangegowda etc. are popular literary figures. This period was amalgamation of literature works which crossed across boundaries under a vast roof encompassed by art and theatre fields. The literature works of Kannada in Navodaya is crowned with 8 Jnanpith awards.
Kannada Thantramsha or software is developed under Kuvempu University
. There is also a sizable Open-source community based in Bengaluru.
Some of the contemporary active institutions of Kannada literature are
missionary
Hermann Mögling
.
List of newspapers:
. The Kannadiga culture protects and balances Kaadu and Naadu as can be seen. Although seen scantly still the state enjoys the diversity owing to tribal sects of Soliga
, Badaga, Jenu Kuruba
, Hakki Pikki, Lambani and other inhabitants of forests. also see Appiko Chaluvali
Some noted environmentalists include
song is Dharani mandala madhyadolage which narrates an incidence between mother cow and an aggressive tiger in a country called Karnata
, Udupi are some of nerve centres. One of the leading examples include a village near Shivamogga where people speak only Sanskrit till date. Bengaluru has almost all language speakers of India.
One of the most acknowledged concept is to be a Vishwa Maanava or universal being. In Kuvempu's ideology this has a renowned explanation Every Child is born as a Vishwa Maanava or a Universal Human . It is the we who make him Alpa Maanava or Little Human by putting various constrictions of borders rituals and castes. It hence becomes responsibility of our culture to again make him a Universal Being unbound and free. The Kannadiga culture is known to provide shelter and self respect to people by owning them and their culture. Two Tibet
an colonies for refugees from Tibet are formed, one near Mundgod
and one near Kushalanagara for protecting them from Chinese atrocities. Karnataka has also sheltered flood victims of North Eastern India like Assam and provided them jobs. One of the easily seen diversity is the surnames which vary from hugely like some may involve names involving a Hindu and Muslim name or having a Hindu Christian name (more found in Mangalore) or even a Muslim Christian name. Hindu is normally considered a misnomer for Sanathana.
Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra are the only two states which have diversity of including both Malenadu Nithyaharidwarna -evergreen ghats and Bayaluseeme which have different ways of living in the same state. Not only this but it acts as a gateway to North and South Indian culture
s. It may come as a surprise that Karnataka is next only to Rajasthan
in India when it comes to area under arid land but still Southern Karnataka is referred to as Gandhada Gudi
- temple of sandalwood found in its protected forests.
being a neighbour where hugely successful communist ideology in bringing up literacy levels has also a backing here and a few naxalite
outfits do function in Karnataka. Also functional failure of all pillars of democracy even being upper riparian state can be clearly seen in the Kaveri River Water Dispute
issue. The failure extended to bureaucracy and Karnataka reached the position of being fourth most corrupt state of India due to political and bureaucratic lobby due to which Lokayukta (see N. Venkatachala
) was formed but could not get the required powers to deal with the powerful. In the field of press and journalism P. Lankesh
and S. Gurumurthy
are some of the noted ones famous for their leftist affiliations.
The Dravidian leader and social reformer Periyar, was a descendant of migrant commanders from the Mysore region. Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
single handedly changed the essence of Tamil Nadu
and Indian politics to a very great extent. The present Tamil Nadu politics has descended from Periyar and his movement. In one of his speeches,he is quoted as saying "Many people say I am not a Tamilian myself. They are saying this because my mother tongue is Kannada. Many think that I am a Telugu Naidu. I am a Kannadiga of the Balijawar caste."
M. P. Veerendra Kumar
, a similar Kannadiga in Kerala is a multi faceted personality having a prominent hand in making Mathrubhumi
a leading Malayalam journal, besides being an active politician and a noted new genre Malayalam Litterateur.
), Dehali Kannadiga (New Delhi
), Mumbai Karnataka Sangha (Mumbai
), Mallige Kannada Balaga (Mauritius
), North America Vishwa Kannada Association (NAVIKA) and Association of Kannada Kootas of America
(AKKA) in the USA who try being culturally involved.
, state of Karnataka as it stands today did not exist. Areas that today comprise Karnataka were under as many as 20 different administrative units with the princely state of Mysore
, Nizam's Hyderabad
, the Bombay Presidency
, the Madras Presidency
and the territory of Kodagu
being the most important ones. In effect, nearly two-thirds of what is now Karnataka fell outside the rule of the Wodeyar kings of Mysore
. In addition the proposed state had 6 neighbours Goa
, Maharashtra
, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
, Kerala
and all had Kannadigas in them.
What this meant for the Kannadigas in these regions was that they were reduced to linguistic minorities wherever they were. Kannadigas in the Hubli-Karnataka region for example, came under the rule of the Bombay Presidency where Marathi
was the official language. Those in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region came under the Nizam's rule where Urdu
ruled.
It was in this backdrop that the movement that first started as a protest against linguistic oppression, soon morphed into one that began demanding a separate state be created consolidating all Kannada speaking regions. This was essentially a movement that was spearheaded by the poets, journalists and writers and was called the Ekikarana or 'Unification' movement.
India gained independence in 1947. The joy of independence soon gave way to disappointment as the new government started dragging its feet on Karnataka Ekikarana movement. Kannada speaking areas now got grouped under five administrative units of the Bombay and Madras provinces, Kodagu, and the princely states of Mysore and Hyderabad. The Akhila Karnataka Ekikarana Parishat met in Kasargod and reiterated the demand for a separate state for Kannadigas.
The ratification in parliament of the recommendations of the Fazal Ali Committee brought unbounded joy to the entire Kannadiga population that now was merged under the state of Mysore
. Along with all the joy, came the acute disappointment at the non inclusion of certain parts in the Mysore state. The biggest disappointment lay in the non inclusion of Kasargod in the newly formed state. The irony also lay in the fact that Kasargod was one of the bastions from which the Ekikarana movement had launched its agitation. This is an issue that continues to rankle those who fought for the unification of Karnataka. Some like literary giant and nonagenarian Kayyara Kiyyanna Rai who was part of the movement since its earliest days still continues to fight for Kasargod's merger with Karnataka albeit peacefully. Belgaum border dispute
is another controversial issue which has led to huge turmoil in border of Karnataka and Maharashtra
.
On 1 November 1973, under Devaraj Urs as Chief Minister, Mysore state was renamed as Karnataka since it was felt that Karnataka was more 'inclusive' of all the other regions of Karnataka than the name Mysore.
Some of the active Kannada pro organisations include
is a banner with two horizontal stripes, yellow on top and red on the bottom. The flag although neither officially declared nor represents any legendary empire but something which is accepted in recent times unofficially representing a symbol of welfare as turmeric
(ಅರಿಶಿಣ) and kumkum
(ಕುಂಕುಮ).
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
: ಕನ್ನಡತಿ |feminine
Grammatical gender
Grammatical gender is defined linguistically as a system of classes of nouns which trigger specific types of inflections in associated words, such as adjectives, verbs and others. For a system of noun classes to be a gender system, every noun must belong to one of the classes and there should be...
) is a reference to the people who natively speak the Kannada language
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
. Kannadigas are mainly located in the state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
. The frequently used English plural form is Kannadigas.
Kannadigas are people who speak Kannada, its variants or its various dialect
Dialect
The term dialect is used in two distinct ways, even by linguists. One usage refers to a variety of a language that is a characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers. The term is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors,...
s as their mother tongue
First language
A first language is the language a person has learned from birth or within the critical period, or that a person speaks the best and so is often the basis for sociolinguistic identity...
. Various districts of Karnataka have mixed variations of dialects like Dharwad Kannada
Dharwad
Dharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...
, Sankethi
Sankethi language
Sankethi is distinct from Kannada and is now an independent language according to Dravidian linguists such as Hampa Nagarajaiah. Many still call it a dialect of Kannada in keeping with tradition...
, Naddvara Kannada, Havigannada
Havigannada
Havigannada or Havyaka Bhaashe or Havyaka Kannada is the native language of Havyakas. It is a dialect of Kannada.- Usage :Havigannada is used only by Havyakas. It uses similar verbs and words as mainstream Kannada. However, it has more in common with Halegannada...
, Bengaluru Kannada
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Are Bhashe
Are Bhashe
Arebhashe or Gowda Kannada is a dialect of the Kannada language, particularly, spoken by the people belonging to ‘Gowda’ community who are the natives of Madikeri, Somwarpet, Bhagamandala and Kushalanagara of Kodagu district and Sullia of Dakshina Kannada. It is also spoken by eastern parts of...
, Mysooru Kannada, Kundagannada
Kundapura
-Languages and culture :The town mainly consists of Kannadigas who speak Kundagannada, Konkanis and Tuluvas. The Goud Saraswat Brahmins who fled Goa during the Portuguese arrival in the 16th century arrived by Boat in Basrur and some settled in Kundapura and surrounding villages. These people and...
, etc. Janapadas of Soliga
Soliga
A Soliga is a member of a tribe in India that inhabits the Biligirirangan and associated hill ranges in Southern Karnataka, mostly in Chamarajanagar District, bordering the Erode district of Tamil Nadu . Most of them are concentrated in and around the BR Hills in Yelandur and Kollegal Taluks of...
, Badaga
Badagas
The Badagas are an indigenous people inhabiting the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, southern India. Their language is Badaga.-Traditional Attire:In olden days the Badagas used to wear distinctive dresses...
and other tribes of Karnataka having rich contribution to Kannada literature have their own style. Many Kannadigas have emigrated to countries like United States of America, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Early Settlements
Brahmagiri archaeological site
Brahmagiri is an archaeological site located in the Chitradurga district of the state of Karnataka, India. The site was first explored by Benjamin L. Rice in 1891, who discovered rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka here. These rock edicts indicated that the locality was termed as Isila and denoted the...
near Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Chitradurga is a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug was the name officially used by the British Govt.-Geography:Chitradurga is...
district, central Karnataka. Chandravalli
Chandravalli
Chandravalli is an archaeological site located in the Chitradurga district of the state of Karnataka, India. The region is a valley formed by three hills, Chitradurga, Kirabanakallu and Cholagudda. It is a semi-arid region with scrub vegetation with a stream running through it...
exploration has revealed interaction of Roman and Chinese travelers around 2nd and 3rd century BC.
Kannadigas have built powerful empires and kingdoms with Kannada as the official language
Official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a...
. The language was once popular from Kaveri
Kaveri River
The Kaveri , also spelled Cauvery in English, is a large Indian river. The origin of the river is traditionally placed at Talakaveri, Kodagu in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, flows generally south and east through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and across the southern Deccan plateau through the...
to Godavari
Godavari River
The Godavari is a river that runs from western to southern India and is considered to be one of the big river basins in India. With a length of 1465 km, it is the second longest river in India , that runs within the country and also the longest river in South India...
as mentioned in Kavirajamarga
Kavirajamarga
Kavirajamarga is the earliest available writing on rhetoric, poetics and grammar in the Kannada language. It was written by the famous Rashtrakuta King "Nripatunga" Amoghavarsha I and some say that it is based partly on an earlier Sanskrit writing, Kavyadarsa...
of 850 CE. Archaeological evidences prove Kannada inscriptions found as far north as Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
(Inscription of Krishna III
Krishna III
Krishna III, whose Kannada name was Kannara , was the last great warrior and able monarch of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty of Manyakheta. He was a shrewd administrator and skillful military campaigner. He waged many wars to bring back the glory of the Rashtrakutas and played an important role in...
) and Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. The great Karnataka Expansion provides insights to various kingdoms of northern India
North India
North India, known natively as Uttar Bhārat or Shumālī Hindustān , is a loosely defined region in the northern part of India. The exact meaning of the term varies by usage...
whose originators were from Kannada country.
The major empires and kingdoms, their regal capital and most distinguished kings were:
- Western Ganga Dynasty - TalakadTalakadTalakad is a desert-like town on the left bank of the Kaveri river at a spot where the river makes a sharp bend. It is 45 km from Mysore and 133 km from Bangalore in Karnataka, India. A historic site, Talakad once had over 30 temples that today are buried in sand. Now it is a scenic...
u - DurvinitaDurvinitaDurvinita is seen as the most successful ruler of the Western Ganga Dynasty. Son of the previous ruler, Avinita, Durvinita's assession to the throne was disputed by his brother, who had gained the support of the Pallavas and Kadambas. There are Nallala and Kadagattur inscriptions that refer to... - Kadamba Dynasty - BanavasiBanavasiBanavasi 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...
- MayurasharmaMayurasharmaMayurasharma , a Brahmin scholar and a native of Talagunda , was the founder of the Kadamba Kingdom of Banavasi, the earliest native kingdom to rule over what is today the modern state of Karnataka, India. He took the name of Mayuravarma to emphasise his change from the Brahmin to the Kshatriya... - Badami Chalukya - BadamiBadamiBadami , formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from 540 to 757 AD. It is famous for rock cut and other structural temples...
- Pulakesi IIPulakesi IIPulakesin II is the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. In his reign the Chalukyas of Badami saw their kingdom extend over most of the Deccan.-Early life and accession:... - RashtrakutaRashtrakutaThe Rashtrakuta Empire was a royal dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian Subcontinent between the sixth and the 10th centuries. During this period they ruled as several closely related, but individual clans. Rastrakutas in inscriptions represented as descendants of Satyaki, a Yadava well known...
- ManyakhetaManyakhetaManyakheta on the banks of Kagina River in Gulbarga district, Karnataka state was the capital of Rashtrakutas from . It is 40 km from Gulbarga city. The capital was moved from Mayurkhandi in Bidar district to Mānyakheṭa during the rule of Amoghavarsha I...
- Amoghavarsha I - Hoysala - BelurBelurBelur may refer to any of the following:* Belur, Karnataka, town in Karnataka, India* Belur, West Bengal, India, a locality on the west bank of the Hooghly River* Belur Math, the religious abbey located in Belur, West Bengal, India...
and HalebiduHalebiduHalebidu is located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Halebidu was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Halebidu literally means ruined city...
- Veera Ballala IIVeera Ballala IIVeera 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... - Kalyani Chalukya - BasavakalyanBasavakalyanBasavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India, and was historically known as Kalyan.-History:Basavakalyan's history dates back to 3000 years with its name being mentioned in Guru Charitra....
a - Vikramaditya VIVikramaditya VIVikramaditya VI became the Western Chalukya King after deposing his elder brother Somesvara II. Vikramaditya's reign is marked by the start of the Chalukya-Vikrama era. Vikramaditya VI was the greatest of the Western Chalukya kings and had the longest reign in the dynasty. He earned the title... - Southern Kalachuri - KalyaniBasavakalyanBasavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India, and was historically known as Kalyan.-History:Basavakalyan's history dates back to 3000 years with its name being mentioned in Guru Charitra....
- Bijjala IIBijjala IIBijjala II 1130 - 1167 CE was the most famous of the southern Kalachuri kings and ruled initially as a feudatory of Chalukya Vikramaditya VI. He ruled as the Mahamandalesvara or chief and ruled over Karhada 4,000 and Tardavadi 1,000, designations given to... - VijayanagaraVijayanagaraVijayanagara is in Bellary District, northern Karnataka. It is the name of the now-ruined capital city "which was regarded as the second Rome" that surrounds modern-day Hampi, of the historic Vijayanagara empire which extended over the southern part of India....
- HampiHampiHampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other...
- Hakka, Bukka - Keladi NayakaKeladi NayakaKeladi Nayaka Kingdom were an important ruling dynasty of post-medieval Karnataka, India. They initially started to rule as a feudatory of the Vijayanagar Empire...
- IkkeriIkkeriIkkeri is situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka state at about 6 km to the south of Sagara. The word Ikkeri in Kannada means "Two Streets". It was, from about 1560 to 1640 AD, the capital of the Keladi chiefs, afterwards removed to Bednur...
- Shivappa NayakaShivappa NayakaShivappa Nayaka , also known as Keladi Shivappa Nayaka, was a notable ruler of the Keladi Nayaka Kingdom. The Keladi Nayakas were successors of the Vijayanagara Empire in the coastal and Malnad districts of Karnataka, India, in the late 16th century... - Kingdom of MysoreKingdom of MysoreThe Kingdom of Mysore was a kingdom of southern India, traditionally believed to have been founded in 1399 in the vicinity of the modern city of Mysore. The kingdom, which was ruled by the Wodeyar family, initially served as a vassal state of the Vijayanagara Empire...
- Mysooru - Nalvadi Krishnaraja OdeyarKrishna Raja Wadiyar IVKrishna Raja Wadiyar IV , also known popularly as Nalvadi Krishna Raja Wadiyar , was the ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Mysore from 1902 until his death in 1940. He is regarded as one of the most celebrated rulers among the Indian States when India was still under British rule... - Alupas of CanaraAlupasThe Alupas kings were a minor dynasty who ruled parts of coastal Karnataka. Later with the dominance of Kadambas in Banavasi, they became feudatory to them. With the changing political scenario, soon they became the feudatories to Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Rayas...
- Udupi - Aluvarasa II
Minor dynasties that have played an important role in the development of Kannada language, culture and polity were, Chutu
Chutu
The Chutu kingdom was located in the Deccan region of South India in the 3d and 4th centuries AD. Its capital was in Banavasi and it was ruled by a feudatory dynasty of the Satavahanas...
s of Banavasi (feudatory to Satavahana Empire
Satavahana
The Sātavāhana Empire or Andhra Empire, was a royal Indian dynasty based from Dharanikota and Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh as well as Junnar and Prathisthan in Maharashtra. The territory of the empire covered much of India from 230 BCE onward...
), Tuluva Dynasty
Tuluva Dynasty
The Tuluva Dynasty was the third dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire.-History:The Tuluva were the third Hindu dynasty which ruled Vijayanagara empire. The dynasty was founded by chieftain Bunts who originally ruled southern parts of coastal Karnataka, also called Tulu Nadu...
of Canara, Rattas of Saundatti
Ratta dynasty
Ratta dynasty was the branch of Rashtrakutas. Savadatti , historically known as Sugandavarti was the capital of Ratta dynasty during 875-1250, later capital shifted to Belagavi historically known as Venugrama...
(Belgaum), Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region), Banas
Bana Kingdom
The Banas were a dynasty of South India, who claimed descent from the asura Mahabali. The dynasty takes its name from Bana, the son of Mahabali. The Banas faced opposition from several neighbouring dynasties and served some major dynasties such as the Cholas and Pandyas as feudatories, sometimes...
of Kolar, Nolambas of Nolambavadi, Vaidumbas, Chengalvas, Kongalvas, Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province), Yalahanka Nadaprabhu, Sindas of Yelburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga), Kadambas of Hangal.
In addition, other well known kingdoms that patronized Kannadiga poets and Kannada language were:
- Eastern ChalukyasEastern ChalukyasEastern Chalukyas were a South Indian dynasty whose kingdom was located in the present day Andhra Pradesh. Their capital was Vengi and their dynasty lasted for around 500 years from the 7th century until c. 1130 C.E. when the Vengi kingdom merged with the Chola empire...
- Kakatiya dynasty
- Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri
- ShilaharaShilaharaThe Shilahara Dynasty was a feudal clan that established itself in northern and southern Konkan and southern Maharashtra during the Rashtrakuta period...
- Kadambas of GoaGoaGoa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
Immigrants from Karnataka
In addition to those empires that ruled from the Karnataka region, based on inscriptions and literary evidence historians have discussed the possibility that kingdoms of Kannada origin were established in other parts of India as well.The Karnatak Kshatriyas of Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
, the Chalukyas of Gujarat, the Chalukyas of Vengi (Eastern Chalukya), the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, the Rashtrakuta family ruling from Berar
Berar Sultanate
-Berar in Ancient History:Subah Berar and Gondwana the Vidarbha region known as Gulshan-e-Berar in medieval period since Khilji dynasty to mughal period according Aine-Akbari and Alimgeer Namah report the berar is hole Fourteen sarkar...
(modern Amravati district
Amravati district
Amravati district is a district of Maharashtra state in central India. Amravati is the administrative headquarters of the district.The district is situated between 20°32' and 21°46' north latitudes and 76°37' and 78°27' east longitudes. The district occupies an area of 12,235 km²...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
), and the Rashtrakutas branch of Gujarat (Lata branch), are some possible examples.
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
has been the epitome of art in Karnataka. Be it the musical pillars of Hampi
Hampi
Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other...
, which is listed as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
, the ekashila (monolithic
Monolithic architecture
Monolithic architecture is a style of construction in which a building is carved, cast or excavated from a single piece of material. The most basic form of monolithic architecture is the monolith, such as the monolithic churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia or the Pancha Rathas in India.Buildings with a...
) statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali
Bahubali
According to Jainism, Bahubali, called Gomateshwara , was the second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha, and king of Podanpur. The Adipurana, a 10th century Kannada text by Jain poet Adikavi Pampa According to Jainism, Bahubali, called Gomateshwara , was the second of the...
that was voted by Indians as the first of Seven Wonders of India
Seven Wonders of India
Various lists of the Wonders of the World have been compiled over the ages to catalogue the most spectacular man-made constructions and natural things in the world...
, the Yelu Sutthina Kote
Chitradurga Fort
Chitradurga Fort , or as the British called it Chitaldoorg, straddles several hills and a peak overlooking a flat valley in the Chitradurga District, Karnataka, India...
of Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Chitradurga is a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug was the name officially used by the British Govt.-Geography:Chitradurga is...
(The Fort of Seven Laps) cutting across hill or be it the wholesomeness of carvings of temples which bared down all desires to be left out of it and formless (above all forms) all encompassing - the inner garbhagriha
Garbhagriha
Garbhagriha or Garbha griha is the small unlit shrine of a Hindu temple.Garbhagriha or ' is a Sanskrit word meaning the interior of the sanctum sanctorum, the innermost sanctum of a Hindu temple where resides the murti of the primary deity of the temple...
s. The temples of Karnataka had in them many shaili or varieties to credit. Majority of the temples were built using the locally available stones.
- HampiHampiHampi is a village in northern Karnataka state, India. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other...
houses the ruins of the Vijayanagara EmpireVijayanagara EmpireThe Vijayanagara Empire , referred as the Kingdom of Bisnaga by the Portuguese, was an empire based in South Indian in the Deccan Plateau region. It was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I of the Yadava lineage. The empire rose to prominence as a culmination of attempts...
and is declared as a World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations... - PattadakalPattadakalPattadakal is a village in Karnataka. It lies on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district. It is 22 km from Badami and about 10 km from Aihole...
is a vesaraVesaraVesara is a type of Indian architecture primarily used in temples. The two other prominent styles are Dravida and Nagara. Vesara is a combination of these two temple styles.-Description:...
style of HinduHinduHindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
temple architectureArchitectureArchitecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, another UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage SiteWorld Heritage SiteA UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance... - Badami cave temples, a regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas, now famous for its sandstoneSandstoneSandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
cave temples - AiholeAiholeAihole is a temple complex in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It is a very popular tourist spot in north Karnataka. It lies to the east of Pattadakal, along the Malaprabha River, while Badami is to the west of both....
is known for its many temples and inscriptionsEpigraphyEpigraphy Epigraphy Epigraphy (from the , literally "on-writing", is the study of inscriptions or epigraphs as writing; that is, the science of identifying the graphemes and of classifying their use as to cultural context and date, elucidating their meaning and assessing what conclusions can be...
of ChalukyaChalukya dynastyThe Chalukya dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the "Badami Chalukyas", ruled from Vatapi from the...
Pulakesi IIPulakesi IIPulakesin II is the most famous ruler of the Chalukya dynasty. In his reign the Chalukyas of Badami saw their kingdom extend over most of the Deccan.-Early life and accession:...
in the Old Kannada script - BasavakalyanBasavakalyanBasavakalyan is a town in Bidar District of the state of Karnataka, India, and was historically known as Kalyan.-History:Basavakalyan's history dates back to 3000 years with its name being mentioned in Guru Charitra....
, a major centre of social and religious movement in 12th century by BasavaBasavaBasava was a philosopher and a social reformer. He is also called Vishwa Guru and Bhakti-Bhandari. His teachings and preachings which are universal, go beyond all boundaries of belief systems...
, it consists of temples in Chalukyan architecture - ItagiItagiItagi is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Khanapur taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.-Demographics: India census, Itagi had a population of 8331 with 4223 males and 4108 females....
is home to the ShivaShivaShiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
temple built by VikramādityaVikramadityaVikramaditya was a legendary emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity. The title "Vikramaditya" was later assumed by many other kings in Indian history, notably the Gupta King Chandragupta II and Samrat Hem Chandra Vikramaditya .The name King Vikramaditya is a...
. Considered to be the best specimen of Kalyani Chalukyan art, it has as many as 68 decorated pillars, an ornate tower and a doorway of great workmanship - LakkundiLakkundiLakkundi in Gadag District of Karnataka is a tiny village on the way to Hampi from Hubli. Lakkundi 11 km from Gadag in the east...
- BelurBelurBelur may refer to any of the following:* Belur, Karnataka, town in Karnataka, India* Belur, West Bengal, India, a locality on the west bank of the Hooghly River* Belur Math, the religious abbey located in Belur, West Bengal, India...
- HalebiduHalebiduHalebidu is located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Halebidu was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples. Halebidu literally means ruined city...
- ShravanabelagolaShravanabelagolaShravana Belgola is a city located in the Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is 158 km from Bangalore. The statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali at Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural...
- IkkeriIkkeriIkkeri is situated in Shimoga district of Karnataka state at about 6 km to the south of Sagara. The word Ikkeri in Kannada means "Two Streets". It was, from about 1560 to 1640 AD, the capital of the Keladi chiefs, afterwards removed to Bednur...
- KeladiKeladiKeladi is a temple town in Shimoga district of the state of Karnataka in India.Located about 8 KM from Sagara town.-History:It is interesting as the place whence the Ikkeri chiefs derived their origin, which is thus related :-...
Pioneer sculptors include:
- Amarashilpi JakanachariAmarashilpi JakanachariAmarashilpi Jakanacharya was a legendary sculptor credited with building many fine temples forthe Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysalas, including the famous sculptures at Belur andHalebidu.- His life :...
- Ruvari MalithammaRuvari MalithammaRuvari Malithamma was a famous architect and sculptor in the 12th century who made many important contributions to temples built by the Hoysala Empire in Karnataka state, India. His contributions greatly enriched the idiom called Hoysala architecture...
- ChavundarayaChavundarayaChavundraya was a military commander, poet and a minister in the court of the Western Ganga Dynasty of Talakad . A person of many talents, in 982 he commissioned the Gomateshwara, a monolithic sculpture in Shravanabelagola, an important place of pilgrimage for Jains...
Modern day contemporaries include visionary architects such as:
- Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya - Father of modern Indian engineering, Kannambadi Katte or KRS dam
- Kengal HanumanthaiahKengal HanumanthaiahKengal Hanumanthaiah was the chief minister of the old Mysore State in India from 30 March 1952 to 19 August 1956...
- Vidhana Soudha
Music
Dasa Sahitya
Dasa Sahitya
Dasa Sahitya is the literature of bhakti movement composed by devotees in honor of Lord Vishnu or one of his Avatars. Dasa is literally servant in Kannada and sahitya is literature. Haridasas were preachers of bhakti to Lord Vishnu or one of his avatars. The bhakti literature of these Haridasas...
(Kannada: ದಾಸ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ) is the literature of Bhakti movement
Bhakti movement
The Bhakti movement is a Hindu religious movement in which the main spiritual practice is loving devotion among the Shaivite and Vaishnava saints. The Bhakti movement originated in ancient Tamil Nadu and began to spread to the north during the late medieval ages when north India was under Islamic...
composed by devotees in honor of Lord Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
or one of his avatar
Avatar
In Hinduism, an avatar is a deliberate descent of a deity to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation," but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation"....
s. Dasa is literally "servant" in Kannada and sahitya is literature. Haridasas ("servants of God") were preachers of Bhakti
Bhakti
In Hinduism Bhakti is religious devotion in the form of active involvement of a devotee in worship of the divine.Within monotheistic Hinduism, it is the love felt by the worshipper towards the personal God, a concept expressed in Hindu theology as Svayam Bhagavan.Bhakti can be used of either...
to Vishnu. The bhakti literature of these Haridasas is collectively referred to as Dasa Sahitya. It is composed in the Kannada language.
The Haridasa
Haridasa
The Haridasa devotional movement is considered as one of the turning points in the cultural history of India. Over a span of nearly six centuries, several saints and mystics helped shape the culture, philosophy and art of South India and Karnataka in particular by exerting considerable spiritual...
s richly contributed to the heritage of Karntataka music. They made an indelible impression on the religious and cultural life of Karnataka by spreading the didactic
Didacticism
Didacticism is an artistic philosophy that emphasizes instructional and informative qualities in literature and other types of art. The term has its origin in the Ancient Greek word διδακτικός , "related to education/teaching." Originally, signifying learning in a fascinating and intriguing...
teachings in a musical form to the hearts of the common folk. Like other doyens of Indian classical music, these scholars offered prayer to Vishnu through music, called naadopasana. The Lord is described as Samagana priya, and bhakti through music is the most preferred path to 'reach' Him.
The Haridasa compositions are popularly known as Devaranamas. Compositions like Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Krishna Ni Begane Baaro
Krishna Ni Begane Baro is a famous classical song in Kannada Language. It is composed in Raagam: Yamunaa KalyaaNi by Vyasatirtha. The Taalam is Misra Chapu .-Composer:...
, Venkatachala Nilayam, Jagadoddharana, Tamboori
Tambori
The tambori is a percussion instrument of about 10 centimetres diameter, a small shallow cylinder formed of metal or wood with a drumhead of skin...
Meetidava are some of the many examples of their scholarly work.
Some noted Haridasas or composers of Dasa Sahitya are:
- Purandara DasaPurandara DasaPurandara Dāsa is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music and is widely regarded as the "father of Carnatic Music". Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanaka Dasa...
, widely regarded as Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha or "Father of Carnatic musicCarnatic musicCarnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
" - Kanaka DasaKanaka DasaKanaka Dasa was a great poet, philosopher, musician and composer from Karnataka. He is known for his Kirtanes and Ugabhoga compositions in the Kannada language for Carnatic music...
, a younger contemporary of Purandara Dasa - Sripadaraja
- VyasatirthaVyasatirthaVyasatirtha , also called Vyasaraja or Vyasaraya or Vyasraja swamin, was acclaimed as one of the three spiritual lights or munitrayam of dvaita Vedanta, i.e., Sri Madhvacharya, Sri Jayatirtha and Sri Vyasatirtha. He was a scholar of very high order with a judicious defence of the Dvaita Vedanta...
- VadirajatirthaVadirajatirthaSri Vadirajatirtha , traditionally 1480 - 1600, a Haridasa, is said to have been a Shivalli Tulu Brahmin and native of the village of Hoovinakere, near Kumbhashi in Kundapura taluk, Udupi District in Karnataka state...
- Jagannatha DasaJagannatha DasaJagannatha Dasa , a native of Manvi town in the Raichur district, Karnataka state, India, is considered one of the notable Haridasa saint-poets of the Kannada language...
- JayatirthaJayatirthaSeer Jayateertharu was the sixth pontiff of Sri Madhvacharya Peetha. He is one of the most important seers in the Dvaita philosophy on account of his elucidations of Sri Ananda Teertha's masterpieces...
- Gopala DasaGopala DasaSri Gopala Dasa was a prominent 18th century saint, under the Haridasa tradition. Along with other contemporary Haridasas such as Vijaya Dasa, Jagannatha Dasa and Venugopala Dasa, Gopala Dasa propagated the Dvaita philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya throughout South India through Devaranamas or "Songs...
- Vijaya DasaVijaya DasaVijaya Dasa or Sri Vijaya Dasa was a prominent saint from the Haridasa tradition of Karnataka, India in the 18th century. Sri VijayaDasaru is an amsha of Sri Brighu Muni; the very same muni, who was the nimmita for the eternal kshetra Tirumala ! Sri Krishna himself in BG 10.25 says "maharsinam...
- NaraharitirthaNaraharitirthaSri Naraharitirtha CE. was a disciple of 13th Century Indian saint Madhvacharya and is considered by some as the founder of the Haridasa movement in India. He was not only a great saint but also a royal pontiff as evidenced by some inscriptions...
One of the oldest forms of music in the region is Karnataka Shastreeya Sangeetha
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
which has evolved over ages. Both Hindustani and Karnataka variations are respected and nurtured by Kannadigas. Bhavageete
Bhavageete
Bhavageethe is a form of expressionist poetry and light music. Most of the poetry sung in this genre pertain to subjects like love, nature, philosophy etc, and the genre itself is not much different from Ghazals, though ghazals are bound to a peculiar metre...
and Sugama Sangeetha
Sugama Sangeetha
Sugama Sangeetha , is a semi-classical form of Indian music, influenced by both systems of Indian music. All states have Sugama Sangeetha of their regional language. Metrical poetry written in the regional language is set to tune by composers...
are some innovations. Other forms of music include Gamaka
Gamaka (music)
Gamaka, also known as gamak or gamakam, refers to ornamentation that is used in the performance of Indian classical music. The unique character of each raga is given by its gamakas, making their role essential rather than decorative in Indian music...
, Joogera Pada and Lavani
Lavani
Lavani is a genre of music popular in Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which particularly performed to the enchanting beats of Dholak, a percussion instrument. Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm and...
. Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
is also considered a unique and indigenous form of both music and dance of Karnataka.
Contemporary musical thespians are:
- Pandit Bhimsen JoshiBhimsen JoshiPandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi ; February 4, 1922 - January 24, 2011) was an Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical tradition. A member of the Kirana Gharana , he is renowned for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music...
, recipient of the Bharat RatnaBharat RatnaBharat Ratna is the Republic of India's highest civilian award, awarded for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition of public service of the highest order." Unlike knights, holders of the Bharat Ratna...
- India'sIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
highest civilian honor - Gangubai Hanagal, awarded both Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
and Padma VibhushanPadma VibhushanThe Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 1971 and 2002 respectively - C. AswathC. AswathC. Aswath was an Indian music composer and exponent of Bhavageete in the Kannada language. He was also a singer, and had sung many of his own compositions. He was credited with singing Bhavageete songs and making sure that they reached the common man. He died on 29 December 2009 on his 70th...
, recipient of Karnataka Rajyotsava PrashastiRajyotsava PrashastiThe Annual Rajyotsava Awards are conferred by the Karnataka Government on the occasion of the birth of Karnataka State on November 1 celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava. The awards celebrate achievements by persons of eminence in their chosen fields...
for his immense contribution to BhavageeteBhavageeteBhavageethe is a form of expressionist poetry and light music. Most of the poetry sung in this genre pertain to subjects like love, nature, philosophy etc, and the genre itself is not much different from Ghazals, though ghazals are bound to a peculiar metre... - Puttaraj GawaiPuttaraj GawaiPandit Puttaraj Gawai is an Indian musician in the Hindustani classical tradition, a scholar who has authored more than 80 books in Kannada, Sanskrit and Hindi, a music teacher and a social servant...
- C. Honappa Bhagavathar
- P. Kalinga RaoP. Kalinga RaoPandeshwara Kalinga Rao was a Bhavageete and Sugama Sangeetha singer and composer in the Kannada language who was known as the "Monarch of light music in Kannada" He popularised Kannada Bhavageete, a form of music which derives lyrics from popular poetry and devotional works...
- Balappa HukkeriBalappa HukkeriBalappa Hukkeri was a singer of folk songs and Bhavageetes in Kannada language and a freedom fighter in his early years. He is mainly credited for popularizing Sugama Sangeetha in North Karnataka, just like P. Kalinga Rao who popularized the art form in South Karnataka...
- Mallikarjuna MansurMallikarjun MansurMallikarjun Bheemarayappa Mansur was an Indian classical singer of the khyal style in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He received the three national Padma Awards: Padma Shri in 1970, Padma Bhushan in 1976, and Padma Vibhushan in 1992.-Early life:...
- Basavaraja Rajguru
- Veene SheshannaVeene SheshannaVeene Sheshanna was an exponent of the Veena, an Indian string instrument, which he played in the classical Carnatic music style. He was a concert musician at the court of the princely state of Mysore in south India.-Family:...
- Pitilu Chowdiah
- Sawai GandharvaSawai GandharvaRambhau Kundgolkar, popularly known as Pandit Sawai Gandharva , was a popular Hindustani Classical vocalist and Marathi stage actor of the Kirana Gharana. He was the first and foremost disciple of Utd. Abdul Karim Khan and guru of Bharat Ratna laureate Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. Pt...
- Kumar GandharvaKumar GandharvaKumar Gandharva or Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkallimath was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style, refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana, and his innovative genius...
- Mysore AnanthaswamyMysore AnanthaswamyMysore Ananthaswamy was a classical Indian vocalist; a singer of Kannada Sugama Sangeetha. He set many poems of well known Kannada poets to music and popularised them throughout Karnataka...
Theater
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
are termed Bayalata, whereas in the north several other distinct genres are also included under the name.
Harikathe
Harikatha
Harikatha , otherwise called Katha Kalakshepa is a form of Hindu religious discourse, also known as Katha storytelling format, in which the story teller explores a religious theme, usually the life of a saint or a story from an Indian epic.Harikatha is a composite art form composed of story...
(ಹರಿಕಥೆ), which covers an entire night is another form where one (or more) person tells a story in an outstanding manner accompanied by music at background. It is a common feature to narrate battles, stories, devotions or vratha in front of temples on auspicious days like Dasara
Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara is the Nadahabba of the state of Karnataka. It is also called Navaratri and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October...
and Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri
Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivarathri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna...
. Harikathe is a composite art form composed of story telling, poetry, music, drama, dance, and philosophy. Of late, late-night Harikathe sessions are being organized overseas where Kannadiga population is considerable.
Vasanta Habba
Vasanta Habba , which means spring festival in the Kannada language, is a cultural festival organised by the Nrityagram foundation in the city of Bangalore, India. It is a very popular event and is considered the classical Woodstock of India. This festival, first held in the year 1990, was the...
(ವಸಂತ ಹಬ್ಬ), which means "spring festival" in Kannada is a cultural festival organized by the Nrityagram foundation
Nrityagram
Nrityagram is India's first modern Gurukul for Indian classical dances and an intentional community in the form of a dance village, set up by Odissi danseuse Protima Gauri in 1990...
in Bengaluru
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. It is a very popular event and is considered the classical Woodstock of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. First held in the year 1990, it now attracts the best musicians, dancers and cultural artists from across India. Similarly, Bengaluru Habba (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹಬ್ಬ) is a congregation of art performances at different places of the city which was initiated fairly recently and is successfully celebrated every year. It aims to provide aesthetic entertainment to a wide cultural, social and demographic cross-section of the city's people by partnering with Corporates and other stakeholders since 2003. In 2006, the Government of Karnataka
Government of Karnataka
The Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
tried to bring the folklore and art into the city of Bengaluru by initiating Jaanapada Jaatre
Jaanapada
Jaanapada is a word made by two words Jana - People or tribe Pada - a kind of short verse joined together as a sandhi- a grammatical term...
(ಜಾನಪದ ಜಾತ್ರೆ) which was hugely successful and received well by art lovers. It is usually held on select weekends in Lalbagh and other parts of the city.
Some famous theatrical, cinematic and television personalities like T P Kailasam, Gubbi Veeranna
Gubbi Veeranna
Gubbi Veeranna was an Indian theatre director, one of the pioneers and most prolific contributors to Kannada theatre. He established the drama company, Gubbi Veeranna Nataka Company that played a crucial role in promoting the Kannada theatre. Some of the stalwarts that have emerged out of this...
, C. Honappa Bhagavathar, G V Iyer, Dr. Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
, V. Shantaram
V. Shantaram
V. Shantaram is a renowned Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor. He is most known for his films like Dr...
, Puttanna Kanagal
Puttanna Kanagal
Puttanna Kanagal was one of the most prominent Kannada film directors of the 1960s and the 70s. Although the majority of his films were on offbeat or taboo subjects, he endeared himself to both the critics and ordinary film goers alike. He also directed a handful Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and...
, Kalpana
Kalpana (Kannada actress)
Kalpana was a very popular Kannada cinema actress. Her epithet was Minugu taare . A versatile actress, she dominated the Kannada film industry during the late 1960s and 1970s and was critically acclaimed for her roles in movies like Sharapanjara, Gejje Pooje, Belli moda, Eradu Kanasu, Kappu Bilupu,...
, B. S. Ranga
B. S. Ranga
Bindinganavale Srinivas Iyengar Ranga was born in Magadi Village in the erstwhile princely state of Mysore . After an art-enriched childhood wherein he interacted with many stage personalities, B.S.Ranga entered the field of photography...
, B V Karanth
B. V. Karanth
Babukodi Venkataramana Karanth was a renowned film and theatre personality from India...
, Girish Kasaravalli
Girish Kasaravalli
Girish Kasaravalli is a noted film director, and one of the pioneers of the Parallel Cinema in Kannada cinema, who has won the National Film Award for Best Film four times, Ghatashraddha , Tabarana Kathe , Thaayi Saheba and Dweepa...
, Shankar Nag
Shankar Nag
Shankar Nagarkatte , 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved...
, T.S. Nagabharana, T N Seetharam have contributed for its richness.
Dance Forms
More are adapted with the course of nature and seasons adding colour to the harvesting seasons. Tribal forms of dance can also be found limitedly in the regions inhabited by Soliga
Soliga
A Soliga is a member of a tribe in India that inhabits the Biligirirangan and associated hill ranges in Southern Karnataka, mostly in Chamarajanagar District, bordering the Erode district of Tamil Nadu . Most of them are concentrated in and around the BR Hills in Yelandur and Kollegal Taluks of...
s, of which Pinasee is a traditional dance form. Other tribal dance forms are from the forests of Kodagu
Kodagu
Kodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
and Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
.
Some of the folk dances and classical dance forms in Karnataka include:
- Dollu KunithaDollu KunithaDollu Kunitha , is a major form of art, occupies the pride of place among folk dances. Dollu Kunitha is a popular drum dance of Karnataka accompanied by singing. It provides both spectacular variety and complexity of skills in the process of demonstration...
, a popular drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
dance accompanied by singing - KamsaleKamsaleKamsale is a unique folk art performed by the devotees of God Mahadeshwara. Kamsale is a brass made musical instrument. Its origin is traced to the Mythological period.- Instrument and Group :...
, danced to the tune of a rhythmRhythmRhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
instrumentMusical instrumentA musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
of the same name made of brass - VeeragaseVeeragaseVeeragase is a dance folk form prevalent in the state of Karnataka, India. It is a vigorous dance based on Hindu mythology and involves very intense energy-sapping dance movements. Veeragase is one of the dances demonstrated in the Dasara procession held in Mysore...
, a vigorous dance based on Hindu mythologyHindu mythologyHindu religious literature is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas. As such, it is a subset of Nepali and Indian culture...
which is demonstrated at the Mysore DasaraMysore DasaraMysore Dasara is the Nadahabba of the state of Karnataka. It is also called Navaratri and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October...
procession - YakshaganaYakshaganaYakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
is a musical theater popular in coastal and Malenadu regions of KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava... - Gaarudi GombeGaarudi GombeGaarudi Gombe is a folk dance prevalent in the state of Karnataka, India. Dancers adorn themselves with giant doll-suits made of bamboo sticks. The term Gaarudi-Gombe means magical-doll in the native language, Kannada. This dance is performed during major festivals and also in the procession held...
, where dancers adorn themselves with giant doll-suits made of bambooBambooBamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
sticks - Moodalapaya
- Bayalata featuring stories of PuranasPuranasThe Puranas are a genre of important Hindu, Jain and Buddhist religious texts, notably consisting of narratives of the history of the universe from creation to destruction, genealogies of kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, and descriptions of Hindu cosmology, philosophy, and geography.Puranas...
rendered as dance - BharatanaatyaBharatanatyamBharata Natyam or Chadhir Attam, is a classical dance form from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, practiced predominantly in modern times by women. The dance is usually accompanied by classical Carnatic music...
, a classical dance form practiced predominantly by young females and women - Srikrishna Parijatha
- KolataKolataKolata is the traditional folk dance of the state of Karnataka, located in Southern India on the western coast. Unlike its North Indian counterpart Dandiya Ras, it comes in two forms. First, it is performed with coloured sticks and usually involves both men and women dancing together. Second, very...
is performed with coloured sticks and usually involves both men and women dancing together
Kalaa Kshetras (The abode of Art)
- Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat
- Chowdiah Memorial Hall
- Gaayana SamajaBangalore Gayana SamajaBangalore Gayana Samaja is one of the oldest cultural organization in Bangalore and was established in the year 1905. The organization various Indian forms of Indian music such as Carnatic music, Hindustani music, devotional, light music, Harikathe, folk music and theatre along with various Indian...
- Ranga ShankaraRanga ShankaraRanga Shankara is one of Bangalore's best known theatres. It is located in the south Bangalore area of J.P Nagar and is run by the Sanket Trust...
- Nrithya GramaNrityagramNrityagram is India's first modern Gurukul for Indian classical dances and an intentional community in the form of a dance village, set up by Odissi danseuse Protima Gauri in 1990...
- Ravindra KalakshetraRavindra KalakshetraRavindra Kalakshetra is a cultural centre in Bangalore which provides a home for musical and theatrical performances. Located in heart of Bangalore city, it was built to commemorate the birth centenary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.-History:...
- Gubbi Veeranna Rangamandira
- Janapada LokaJanapada LokaJanapada Loka or "Folk world" is an institution that is dedicated to preserving and propagating the rural folk culture of Karnataka. It is a subsidiary of the Karnataka Janapada Parishat and is situated in Ramanagara district on the Bangalore-Mysore highway.It is set up on a plot where rural...
- RangayanaRangayanaRangayana is a theatre institute which operates from Mysore, Karnataka, India. It works as an autonomous cultural institute. The organization consists of a professional repertory company, a theatre-training institute and a documentation and research centre. Rangayana offers courses in stage craft,...
- NINASAMNinasamNinasam is a cultural organisation located in the village of Heggodu in Sagar Taluk of the Shivamogga district in the state of Karnataka, India. Ninasam is the short form of Sri NIlakanteshwara NAtyaseva SAMgha, an organsiation dedicated to the growth of drama, films and publishing...
- Prabhat KalavidaruPrabhat KalavidaruPlease visit http://www.prabhathkalavidaru.com/. Prabhat Kalavidaru is a theatre group based in Bangalore, India. Started in the year 1930, this group has staged many drama performances and is famous for its ballets...
- NatyaMaya
- Sanathana Kalakshetra
Martial Arts
The martial arts more prevalent in parts of North Karnataka with Garadi Mane present in every village and a head to train the youngsters into fit individuals. KusthiWrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, Malla Yuddha
Malla-yuddha
' is the traditional South Asian form of combat-wrestling created in what is now India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka...
, Kathi Varase (which can be seen depicted in Veeragase and similar to sword fighting), Malla Kambha (gymnastics on a pole structure with/without rope) are some of the prominent arts practised.
The Mysore Odeyar
Odeyar
Odeyar/Wodeyar is a surname in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.The word oDeyar is more popularly associated with the Royal Family of Mysore better spelled among English speaking as Wodeyers. However, it would be wrong to assume that this word is popular and typical to communities descended from or...
s arrange kaalaga or fights like Vajra Mushti
Vajra Mushti
Vajra Mushti is a Sanskrit bahuvrihi compound translating to "one who is grasping a thunderbolt" or "one whose clenched fist is like a diamond". It is a name of Indra mentioned in the Ramayana epic....
during Dasara
Mysore Dasara
Mysore Dasara is the Nadahabba of the state of Karnataka. It is also called Navaratri and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October...
festival which is made less frightening these days as they are publicly staged. Rock lifting, Bull race, Kusthi, Kabaddi, are popular sports.
Yogasana, Praanayama and health related camps are very popular throughout the state and some of the best Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
practitioners can be found here. Art of Living
Art of Living
The Art of Living Foundation is a volunteer-based, humanitarian and educational non-governmental organization . It was founded in 1981 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar with the vision of creating a stress-free, violence-free society...
is one such organization immensely popular all over the world.
- Malladihalli Sri Raghavendra SwamiMalladihalli Sri Raghavendra SwamijiSri Raghavendra Swamiji of Malladihalli , popularly known as "Malladihalli Swamiji", was a founder of Anatha Sevashrama Trust, Malladihalli...
- Guru Sri Ravi ShankarSri Sri Ravi ShankarRavi Shankar usually known as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, born Ravi Shankar Ratnam, born 13 May 1956) is a spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation , which aims at relieving individual stress, societal problems and violence. It is an NGO with UNESCO consultative status...
Festivals
Kannadigas celebrate festivals throughout the year presenting the diverse culture and belief of the ethnicity. Festivals have varied reasons to celebrate.- Agriculture: Upon Onset of Monsoon or Sowing or Harvest there are festivals celebrated like Chaandramana UgaadiUgadiYugadi or Ugadi or "Samvatsradi" , Konkani/Marathi: युगादी yugādi, , formed by sandhi of yuga "age" and ādi "beginning": the beginning of an age) is the New Year's Day for the people of the Deccan region of India. It falls on the different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar...
(marking of new year), Makara Sankranthi and Huttari. - Monsoon: DasaraMysore DasaraMysore Dasara is the Nadahabba of the state of Karnataka. It is also called Navaratri and is a 10-day festival with the last day being Vijayadashami, the most auspicious day of Dasara. Dasara usually falls in the month of September or October...
/NavarathriNavarathriNavratri, Navaratri, or Navarathri is a Hindu festival of worship of Shakti and dance & festivities. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit, nava meaning nine and ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi are worshiped...
, Ayudha PujaAyudha PujaAyudha Puja is an integral part of the Navratri festival , a Hindu festival which is traditionally celebrated in India. It is also called "Astra Puja", the synonym for Ayudha Puja. In simple terms, it means “Worship of Implements”... - Puraana: Maha ShivarathriMaha ShivaratriMaha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivarathri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha of the month of Maagha or Phalguna...
, Varamahalakshmi VrataMahalakshmi vrataMahalakshmi Vrata or Varalaksmi Vratha is a sacred day in Hinduism. The ceremony is performed by men or women on the Friday before the full moon in the month of Sravana in the Hindu calendar . Those who cannot perform it on that day, can do it on any other Friday in that month...
, Bheemana Amavasye, Swarna Gowri Vratha, Ganesha Chaturthi, Naagara Panchami, Ratha Sapthami, Krishna Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Vijaya Dashami, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Naraka Chaturdashi, Bali Padyami and others.
In countryside, a dana jaathre (livestock fair) is held which is a conglomeration of people where a local demigod is worshiped and a ratha
Ratha
Ratha is the Indo-Iranian term for the spoked-wheel chariot of Antiquity.It derives from a collective to a Proto-Indo-European word for "wheel" that also resulted in Latin rota and is also known from Germanic, Celtic and Baltic...
or theru (chariots) are moved by the bhakthas and daasoha (free food) is also arranged for the visitors.
North Karnataka has a unique blend of Hindu and Muslim brotherhood with people celebrating festivals in unison and exchanging goodwills owing to great revolutionary Shishunala Sharif
Shishunala Sharif
Shishunala Sharif was a saint poet, philosopher and social reformer from the state of Karnataka in India. His compositions of tatvapada are in Kannada language...
and Guru Govinda Bhatta who had displayed their religious tolerance and spiritual unity of all religions.
Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
is celebrated at large in Bengaluru and Mangalooru which host some of the oldest churches and educational institutions of the country. Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
, Mahaveera, Shankara
Adi Shankara
Adi Shankara Adi Shankara Adi Shankara (IAST: pronounced , (Sanskrit: , ) (788 CE - 820 CE), also known as ' and ' was an Indian philosopher from Kalady of present day Kerala who consolidated the doctrine of advaita vedānta...
, Basava
Basava
Basava was a philosopher and a social reformer. He is also called Vishwa Guru and Bhakti-Bhandari. His teachings and preachings which are universal, go beyond all boundaries of belief systems...
nna and Gandhi are remembered on their birth anniversaries.
Cuisine
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
to its north.
Some typical everyday dishes in Kannadiga homes include Bisi Bele Bath
Bisi Bele Bath
Bisi bele bhath is a rice-based dish with its origins in the state of Karnataka, India. Bisi-bele-bhaath translates to hot-lentil-rice in the Kannada language. It is also known as Bisi bele huliyanna. The traditional preparation of this dish is quite elaborate and involves the use of spicy masala,...
, Jolada Rotti
Jolada rotti
Jolada rotti is a specialty North Karnataka unleavened Indian bread made out of jowar . The name literally translates into jowar bread....
, Ragi Rotti
Ragi rotti
Ragi Rotti is a breakfast item unique to the state of Karnataka, India. It is mostly popular in the rural areas of Southern Karnataka. It is made of ragi flour. Ragi-Rotti means ragi-pancake in the native language, Kannada. It is prepared in the same way as Akki rotti. The ragi flour is mixed...
, Akki Rotti
Akki rotti
Akki Rotti is a rice-based breakfast item unique to the state of Karnataka, India. Akki-Rotti means rice-pancake in the native language, Kannada. It is made of rice flour which is mixed with salt and water and kneaded well to make a soft dough. Sliced onions and carrots, chopped coriander and...
, Saaru, Huli, Davanagere Benne Dosa, Ragi mudde
Ragi mudde
Ragi mudde also Ragi Sangati is a wholesome meal in Karnataka and Rayalaseema region in India. It is mainly popular with the rural folk of Karnataka...
, Chitranna (lemon rice) and Uppittu
Upma
Upma is a popular Indian breakfast dish originating in South India.-Etymology:The general name of the dish in most languages is formed from two words : salt and flour...
. The famous Masala Dosa traces its origin to Udupi cuisine
Udupi cuisine
Udupi cuisine is a world-renowned cuisine of South India. It forms an important part of the Cuisine of Karnataka and takes its name from Udupi, a town on the southwest coast of India in the state of Karnataka. The Udupi cuisine has its origin in the Ashta mathas of Udupi founded by...
. Plain and rave Idli, Mysore Masala Dosa and Maddur Vade
Maddur vada
Maddur vade is a type of vade or snack item which is unique to the state of Karnataka, India. Also known as Maddur vada, this snack derives its name from the town of Maddur which is in the Mandya district of Karnataka. Maddur lies between the cities of Bangalore and Mysore and Maddur Vada is...
are very popular in South Karnataka. Kadabu, a kind of rice dumplings, is a popular and ethnic food in South Malnad regions such as Sakaleshpura, Mudigere
Mudigere
Mudigere is a panchayat town in Chikmagalur district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is 35 km from the district headquarters. Several pilgrimage sites such as Dharmasthala , Horanadu, Kalasa, Sringeri are near to the town...
, Somwarapete
Somwarpet
Somwarpet is a panchayat town in Kodagu district in the Indian state of Karnataka...
, etc. and is consumed along with huchellu (black sesame) chutney.
Among sweets, Mysore Pak
Mysore pak
Mysore pak is a sweet dish of Karnataka, India, usually served as dessert. It is made of generous amounts of ghee , sugar and gram flour....
, Dharwad Pedha
Dharwad pedha
Dharwad pedha is a sweet delicacy unique to the state of Karnataka, India. It derives its name from the city of Dharwad in Karnataka.This sweet's history is around 175 years old.-History:...
, Chiroti, Belagavi Kunda are well known. Hurnagadab, Hurnaholige, Karadanta, Shenga Holige and Sajka have origins in the Malnad region. Indis (chutney
Chutney
Chutney is a a condiment used in South Asian cuisine that usually contains a spice and vegetable mix.Chutneys are wet or dry, having a coarse to fine texture. The Anglo-Indian loan word refers to fresh and pickled preparations indiscriminately, with preserves often sweetened. At least several...
s) of Karnataka have a very distinct taste and flavour. Some popular ones include Shenga indi (groundnut
Peanut
The peanut, or groundnut , is a species in the legume or "bean" family , so it is not a nut. The peanut was probably first cultivated in the valleys of Peru. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing tall...
), Agashi indi, Karal indi, Inichi indi and Mavina indi (mango). Similarly, Karnataka uppinakai (pickles
Pickling
Pickling, also known as brining or corning is the process of preserving food by anaerobic fermentation in brine to produce lactic acid, or marinating and storing it in an acid solution, usually vinegar . The resulting food is called a pickle. This procedure gives the food a salty or sour taste...
) too are very distinct from the rest like Mavina kotthu (fine mango pickles), Nimbekai uppinakai (lemon pickles), Tenga Mavina uppinakai (entire mango pickle), gajri uppinkai (carrot pickle) and menshinikai uppinakai (chilli pickle).
Costumes
Dhoti
The dhoti or pancha is the traditional men's garment in the in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A similar garment is worn in some rural areas of Punjab province in Pakistan, but the use is fast declining...
(often tied as Kachche) or Lungi
Lungi
The Lungi , also known as a sarong , is a traditional garment worn around the waist in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula...
(wrapping style depends on the region) and a shirt. During the era of Kingdoms, the crowns available mainly were Mysuru Peta and Dharwad Peta. Shalya
Shalya
In the epic Mahabharata, King Shalya was the brother of Madri , as well as the ruler of Madra-desa or the kingdom of Madra. Thus, he was the maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva and was loved and revered by the Pandavas. When he was young, he entered a competition among princes and nobilities to...
is a piece of long cloth which is put on shoulder commonly seen in countryside. Many use Khadi
Khadi
The term khādī or khaddar means cotton. khādī is Indian handspun and hand-woven cloth. The raw materials may be cotton, silk, or wool, which are spun into threads on a spinning wheel called a charkha. It is a versatile fabric, cool in the summer and warm in the winter...
in their clothing till date of which politicians are prominent ones. Karnataka also has the only village in the country which produces authentic Indian national flags
Flag of India
The National flag of India is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of deep saffron, white and India green; with the Ashok Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. It was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, when it became the...
according to manufacturing process and specifications for the flag are laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards
Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards is the national Standards Body of India working under the aegis of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India. It is established by the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986 which came into effect on 23 December 1986...
at Hubli.
Female costumes include Seere
Sari
A sari or sareeThe name of the garment in various regional languages include: , , , , , , , , , , , , , is a strip of unstitched cloth, worn by females, ranging from four to nine metres in length that is draped over the body in various styles. It is popular in India, Bangladesh, Nepal,...
of which Ilakal Seerey and Mysore Silk (Government owned) are famous. Seere also has different variations of draping depending on regions like Kodagu, North and South Karnataka and Karavali. Young women in some parts of Karnataka traditionally wear the Davani
Langa oni
A Langa Voni is a traditional dress worn mainly in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala by young girls between puberty and marriage...
(Half saree).
Urban male costumes comprises a trouser, shirt and sandals while that of females include churidar
Churidar
Churidars , or more properly churidar pyjamas , are tightly fitting trousers worn by both men and women in South Asia and Central Asia. Churidars are a variant of the common salwar pants. Salwars are cut wide at the top and narrow at the ankle. Churidars narrow more quickly, so that contours of the...
and moderate heeled sandals. Jeans are popular among the youth, while new age Khadi/silk printed with art or emblem also find place. Kasuti
Kasuti
Kasuti is a traditional form of embroidery practiced in the state of Karnataka, India. Kasuti work which is very intricate sometimes involves putting up to 5,000 stitches by hand and is traditionally made on dresswear like Ilkal and Kanchivaram sarees...
is a form of embroidery work which is very popularly sought after art on dress and costumes.
Literature
Kannada literature is filled with literary figures and pioneers all through. With an unbroken literary history of over a thousand years, the excellence of Kannada literatureKannada literature
Kannada literature is the corpus of written forms of the Kannada language, a member of the Dravidian family spoken mainly in the Indian state of Karnataka and written in the Kannada script....
continues into the present day: works of Kannada literature have received eight Jnanpith awards
Jnanpith Award
The Jnanpith Award is a literary award in India. Along with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, it is one of the two most prestigious literary honours in the country...
and fifty-one Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
awards.
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...
, Ranna
Ranna
Ranna was one of the earliest poets of Kannada language.Ranna, Adikavi Pampa and Sri Ponna together are called "three gems of Kannada literature".-Early days:Ranna was born on 949 C.E. in Muduvolalu Bagalkot district, Karnataka....
and Ponna
Sri Ponna
Sri Ponna was a Kannada poet in the court of Rashtrakuta Dynasty king Krishna III . The emperor honoured Ponna with the title "emperor among poets" for his domination of the Kannada literary circles of the time, and the title "imperial poet of two languages" for his command over Sanskrit as well...
are considered as three jewels of Halegannada. Janna
Janna
Janna was one of the well-known Kannada poets of the early 13th century who also served in the capacity of a minister and a builder of temples. He graced the court of Hoysala empire king Veera Ballala II and earned the title Kavichakravarthi...
was another notable poet of this genre.
Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi
Akka Mahadevi
Akka Mahadevi was a prominent figure of the Veerashaiva Bhakti movement of the 12th century Karnataka. Her Vachanas in Kannada, a form of didactic poetry are considered her greatest contribution to Kannada Bhakti literature. In all she wrote about 430 Vachanas which is relatively fewer than that...
, Allama Prabhu
Allama Prabhu
Allama Prabhu is a mystic-saint and Vachana poet of the Kannada language in the 12th century. Prabhu is the patron saint , the undisputed spiritual authority, and an integral part of the Lingayata movement that decisively shaped society in medieval Karnataka and...
, Madhvacharya
Madhvacharya
Madhvācārya was the chief proponent of Tattvavāda "Philosophy of Reality", popularly known as the Dvaita school of Hindu philosophy. It is one of the three most influential Vedānta philosophies. Madhvācārya was one of the important philosophers during the Bhakti movement. He was a pioneer in...
, Vidyaranya
Vidyaranya
' is variously known as being a kingmaker, patron saint and high priest to Harihara Raya I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of the Vijayanagar Empire. He was the 12th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1380 to 1386 A.D. He was born to and in in 1268 CE. Another account has it that he...
, 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...
, Raghavanka
Raghavanka
Raghavanka was a noted Kannada writer and a poet in the Hoysala court which flourished in the late 12th to early 13th century. Raghavanka is credited for popularising the use of the native shatpadi metre in Kannada literature...
, Kumara Vyasa
Kumara Vyasa
Kumara Vyasa is the pen name of Gadhugina Veera Naranappa , a classical poet of Kannada. His pen name is a tribute to his magnum opus, a rendering of the Mahabharatha in Kannada. Kumara Vyasa literally means Little Vyasa or Son of Vyasa....
, Sarvajna
Sarvajna
Sarvajña was a poet in the Kannada language. He is famous for his pithy three-lined poems which are called tripadis, "with three padas, three-liners", a form of Vachanas. He is also referred as Sarvagna in modern translation.The period of Sarvajña's life has not been determined accurately, and...
, Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dasa
Purandara Dāsa is one of the most prominent composers of Carnatic music and is widely regarded as the "father of Carnatic Music". Purandara Dasa addressed social issues in addition to worship in his compositions, a practice emulated by his younger contemporary, Kanaka Dasa...
, Kanaka Dasa
Kanaka Dasa
Kanaka Dasa was a great poet, philosopher, musician and composer from Karnataka. He is known for his Kirtanes and Ugabhoga compositions in the Kannada language for Carnatic music...
, Shishunala Shareefa, Raghavendra Swami
Raghavendra Swami
Raghavendra Theertha was a Hindu saint and philosopher who served as the head of the Sri Mutt in Kumbakonam from 1624 to 1636. He wrote a commentary Sudha Parimala on the Nyaya Sudha, an exposition of Dvaita philosophy...
etc. were pioneers of Nadugannada. All these have been inviolved with social and cultural movements and hence this was the golden era of literature which brought about a renaissance in Kannada literature . They all had a characteristic naamankita - insignia - which would denote a power equalling a God in popular comparison. The literature saw the Vachana -said, Tattva
Tattva
Tattva is a Sanskrit word meaning 'thatness', 'principle', 'reality' or 'truth'. According to various Indian schools of philosophy, a tattva is an element or aspect of reality conceived as an aspect of deity. Although the number of tattvas varies depending on the philosophical school, together they...
-thatness, Sharana
Sharana
Sharana meaning to surrender denotes egoless surrender and refuge in god,the lord Shiva,the Deity of Lingayatism and Hinduism.In actual sense the word sharana refers to a person who is a follower of saint Basava....
-saviour (of God), and Dasa
Dasa
Dasa is a term used with the primary meaning 'enemy', especially relating to tribes identified as the enemies of the Indo-Aryan tribes in the Rigveda....
-slave (to God) padas (short poetries) - reach the common man's ignorance into great depths leading to Siddhanta
Siddhanta
Siddhanta, a Sanskrit term, roughly translates as the Doctrine or the Tradition. It denotes the established and accepted view of a particular school within Indian philosophy.-Hindu philosophy:...
- philosophies.
Kuvempu
Kuvempu
Kuppali Venkatappagowda Puttappa was a Kannada writer and poet, widely regarded as the greatest poet of 20th century Kannada literature. He is the first among eight recipients of Jnanpith Award for Kannada. Puttappa wrote all his literary works using the pen name Kuvempu...
, D. V. Gundappa
D. V. Gundappa
Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa , popularly known as DVG, was a prominent Kannada writer and a philosopher. He is renowned for Manku Thimmana Kagga, a collection of verses.-Early life:...
, Da Ra Bendre, B. M. Srikantaiah
B. M. Srikantaiah
B M Srikanthaiah was one of the most influential authors, writers and translators of Kannada literature.-Early life and education:He was born in Sampige village, Tumkur District Gubbi taluk...
, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Shivaram Karanth, V K Gokak, U R Ananthamurthy, P. Lankesh
P. Lankesh
Palegar Lankeshappa was a major Indian writer and journalist, writing in the Kannada language. He is probably the only writer who can be credited with bringing magical realism to Kannada literature apart from innovative use of the language...
, Girish Karnad
Girish Karnad
Girish Raghunath Karnad is a contemporary writer, playwright, screenwriter, actor and movie director in Kannada language...
, G S Shivarudrappa, Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar
Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar
Goruru Ramaswamy Iyengar Kannada:ಗೊರೂರು ರಾಮಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಐಯ್ಯಂಗಾರ , popularly known as Goruru, was a Kannada writer; well known for his humour and satire.-Early life:...
, Pu thi Narasimhachar
PuTiNa
Purohita Thirunarayana Narasimhachar , commonly known as PuTiNa, was a playwright and poet of the Kannada language. Along with, Kuvempu and D. R. Bendre, he forms the well-known trio of Kannada Navodaya poets...
, Chennavira Kanavi, Gopalakrishna Adiga
Gopalakrishna Adiga
Mogeri Gopalakrishna Adiga was one of the majors figures in modern Kannada poetry. He is known as the "pioneer of New style" poetry.-Early life:...
, TaRaSu
TaRaSu
T. R. Subba Rao was a novelist and a scholar in Kannada language. He is considered as a harbinger of the Navya movement of Kannada literature...
, A N Krishna Rao, Govinda Pai
M. Govinda Pai
Manjeshwar Govinda Pai , also known as Rastrakavi Govinda Pai, was a Kannada poet. He was awarded the Rashtrakavi title by the Madras Government...
, S.L. Bhyrappa, Poornachandra Tejaswi
Poornachandra Tejaswi
Kuppali Puttappa Poornachandra Tejaswi was a prominent Kannada writer and novelist who has made a great impession in "Navya" period of Kannada literature and inaugurated the bandaya or "protest literature" with his short-story collection Abachoorina Post Offisu.At early stages of his writing...
, Thriveni, K. S. Nissar Ahmed
K. S. Nissar Ahmed
K.S. Nissar Ahmed is a prominent Indian poet and writer in Kannada language. His full name is Kokkare Hosahalli Shekar Nissar Ahmed. His father K.S. Haider was a sanitary inspector and a teacher before joining the Revenue Department in Bangalore...
, K.S. Narasimhaswamy, Chandrashekhara Kambara
Chandrashekhara Kambara
Chandrashekhara Kambara is a prominent poet, playwright, folklorist, film director in Kannada language and the founder-vice-chancellor of Kannada University in Hampi. He is known for his effective usage of North Karnataka dialect of Kannada language in his plays and poems and is often compared...
, Siddhaiah Puranik, G.P. Rajarathnam
G.P. Rajarathnam
ಜಿ.ಪಿ.ರಾಜರತ್ನಂ G.P. Rajarathnam was a Kannada writer and poet.- Biography :He wrote poems for children. These poems are called Kannada Nursery Rhymes. K. S. Nissar Ahmed, a prominent poet, said that Rajarathnam understood the minds of children, as well as what they needed...
, T P Kailasam, Anupama Niranjana
Anupama Niranjana
Anupama Niranjana was a doctor in India and writer of modern Kannada fiction and non-fiction.She advocated the woman's point of view and was one among such writers in Kannada, which includes others like Triveni and M. K. Indira...
, M. K. Indira
M. K. Indira
M. K. Indira was a well known novelist in the Kannada language. She has written novels like Phaniyamma which has won many awards. She started writing novels only after her age of forty-five....
, Dodda Rangegowda etc. are popular literary figures. This period was amalgamation of literature works which crossed across boundaries under a vast roof encompassed by art and theatre fields. The literature works of Kannada in Navodaya is crowned with 8 Jnanpith awards.
Kannada Thantramsha or software is developed under Kuvempu University
Kuvempu University
Kuvempu University is a public state university located in Shimoga, Karnataka, India established in 1987 by the act of the Karnataka state legislature through an amendment No.28/1976 dated 29 January 1989 under the Karnataka State University Act 1976. The university offers undergraduate and...
. There is also a sizable Open-source community based in Bengaluru.
Some of the contemporary active institutions of Kannada literature are
- Kannada Sahitya ParishatKannada Sahitya ParishatKannada Saahithya Parishath is an Indian non-profit organisation that promotes the Kannada language. Its headquarters are in the city of Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka, India. It strives to promote Kannada through publishing books, organising literary seminars and promoting research projects...
- Academies operating as its wings include TuluTulu languageThe Tulu language |?]]]) is a Dravidian language spoken by 1.95 million native speakers mainly in the southwest part of Indian state Karnataka known as Tulu Nadu. In India, 1.72 million people speak it as their mother tongue , increased by 10 percent over the 1991 census...
, KonkaniKonkani languageKonkaniKonkani is a name given to a group of several cognate dialects spoken along the narrow strip of land called Konkan, on the west coast of India. This is, however, somewhat an over-generalisation. Geographically, Konkan is defined roughly as the area between the river Damanganga to the north...
, KodavaKodavaThe Kodavas are a patrilineal ethno-lingual group from the region of Kodagu, in Karnataka state of southern India who traditionally were land-owning agriculturists with martial traditions and natively speak Kodava takk...
, and UrduUrduUrdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. A Byari academy is the latest academy opened in Karnataka - ಜಯ ಭಾರತ ಜನನಿಯ ತನುಜಾತೆJaya Bharata Jananiya TanujateJaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate is a Kannada poem, which was composed by the Indian Kannadiga poet Kuvempu. The poem was officially declared the state anthem of the Indian state of Karnataka on January 6, 2004....
Kannada journalism
Mangaluru Samachara was the first Kannada news publication as early as 1843 by GermanGermans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
Hermann Mögling
Hermann Mögling
Hermann Mögling was a German missionary from the Basel Mission who spent most of his career in the western regions of the state of Karnataka, India. He is credited to be the publisher of the first ever newspaper in the Kannada language called as Mangalooru Samachara in 1843. He was awarded a...
.
List of newspapers:
- Vijaya KarnatakaVijaya KarnatakaVijaya Karnataka is a Kannada newspaper. It is the largest circulated Kannada daily and published from a number of cities in Karnataka. This was founded by VRL group, started in October 2000. During its initial days this news paper was distributed for free for one month. Later on this paper was...
- PrajavaniPrajavaniPrajavani is a leading Kannada-language newspaper in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a sister publication of the Deccan Herald. , it had a circulation of 364,000, making it the second-largest-circulation newspaper in Karnataka , and the largest-circulation Kannada-language newspaper in the...
- Samyuktha Karnataka
- Kannadaprabha
- UdayavaniUdayavaniUDAYAVANI Udayavani is a leading Kannada Daily Newspaper with editions from Manipal, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hubli and Gulbarga.Launched in 1971 by Shri. Mohandas Pai and Shri...
Spiritual Leaders
Some of the greatest serving spiritual leaders include:- Sri Bharati TirthaSri Bharati TirthaSri Bharati Tirtha is the Jagadguru and Shankaracharya of the Advaitic Sringeri Sharada Peetham. Born in Narasaraopet in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh to a pious Telugu Vaidiki Velanadu Brahmin couple, Shri Tangirala Venkateshwara Avadhani and Smt. Ananthalakshamma, he became a disciple of...
of Sringeri Sharada PeethamSringeri Sharada PeethamSringeri Sharada Peetham is the southern Advaita Vedanta matha. It is located in Shringeri. It is claimed that it is the first of the four original mathas established by Adi Shankara.-Location:... - Sree Sree Shivakumara SwamiSree Sree Shivakumara SwamijiDr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamiji is the present head of Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumkur District, South India and founder of the Sree Siddaganga Education Society. He was initiated into viraktashram order in 1930. Swamiji was born in Veerapura near Magadi Taluk. He studied English in college...
- Beerendra Keshava Tarakananda Puri
- Sri Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Sharanaru of Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Brihanmath, Chitradurga.
- Sree Sree Sree Jagadguru Balagangadharanatha Swamiji
- Sree Sree Jagadguru Shivarathri Desikendra Mahaswami
Gandhian Philosophers
- H. NarasimhaiahH. NarasimhaiahHosur Narasimhaiah was a physicist, educator, freedom fighter and rationalist from Karnataka, India. He was popularly known as HN. He was conferred Padma Bhushan by Government of India in 1985.-Early life:...
- Unparalleled Rationalist. - Kollur MallappaKollur MallappaKollur Mallappa was the first President of Hyderabad Pradesh Congress Committee, prior to the merger of Hyderabad state into Andhra Pradesh. He was Member of Parliament from Raichur, now in Karnataka for several terms. He was mentor of late Indian Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao, several...
- B D Jatti
- Mailar Mahadevappa of MotebennurMotebennurMotebennur is one of the largest villages in Haveri district of the state of Karnataka, India. It is the largest village in Byadagi Taluk. It is about 10 km south from Haveri city in NH4....
- Gudleppa HallikeriGudleppa HallikeriGudleppa Hallikeri was an Indian freedom fighter who is a native of Hosaritti in Haveri district of Karnataka state. He started a residential school Gandhi Grameena Gurukul in Hosaritti....
of HaveriHaveriHaveriis a town in Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Haveri District. The name Haveri is derived from the Kannada words havu and keri, which means place of snakes. Haveri is famous for its cardamom garlands. It is said that Haveri had around 1000 maths in ancient days. One of... - Dore Swamy
Modern Science and Technology
Some of the distinguished scientists are- Raja RamannaRaja RamannaRaja Ramanna , D.Phil., was an Indian nuclear scientist and a prominent physicist, is best known for his leadership directing the research integral for the development of Indian nuclear programme in its early stages. Having started and joined the nuclear programme in 1964, Ramanna worked under...
- Indian Nuclear Scientist and father of the Indian Nuclear Bomb. - Prof. H N Mahabala - One of the pioneers of IT education in India. Currently lives near Vidyapeetha Circle.
- Dr. M.C. Modi - One of the greatest Ophthalmologist of the world and an unparalleled Humanist.
- C. N. R. Rao - One of the foremost Solid state scientists of world. Also Chairman of Science Advisory Council of GOI. More prominently leading example of one who studied in Kannada Medium and reached such heights.
- Narayan HosmaneNarayan HosmaneNarayan S. Hosmane is an Indian-born cancer research scientist who made the featured article in NRI Achievers magazine and is currently distinguished research professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the inaugural board of trustees professor at Northern Illinois University, Dekalb. He received...
- Biochemistry & Cancer Research. - Roddam NarasimhaRoddam narasimhaRoddam Narasimha is an Indian aerospace scientist and fluid dynamicist. He was the chairman of the Engineering Mechanics Unit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research JNCASR, India...
- Senior Scientist IISc, Chairman JNCASRJNCASRThe Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research is a relatively young but already well-known multidisciplinary research institute. It was established by the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, to mark the birth centenary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is...
. - S. K. ShivkumarS. K. ShivkumarDr. S. K. Shivkumar is an Indian scientist who was instrumental in the development of the telemetry system for Chandrayaan-I, India's unmanned lunar exploration mission. A native of Mysore in the state of Karnataka, he was responsible for designing the deep space communications in his capacity as...
- Scientist, ISRO Telemetry (ISRO), associated with Chandrayaan-1 - C.R. Rao - Statistics, Mathematician.
- Shrinivas KulkarniShrinivas KulkarniShrinivas R. Kulkarni FRS is a professor of astrophysics and planetary science at California Institute of Technology. He is on the Space Interferometry Mission science team and is the director of optical observatories at California Institute of Technology, including Palomar and Keck.Kulkarni is...
- Professor of Astrophysics and Planetary Science at Caltech, United States of America.
Environmentalists
Karnataka is one of the few states which even being leading contributor for GDP of the country and home for industries, has preserved its forests and wildlife. The evergreen Sahyadri and Western Ghats are home to protected Wildlife of KarnatakaWildlife of Karnataka
The state of Karnataka located in South India has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 38720 km² which constitutes 20.19% of the total geographical area of the state.. These forests support 25% of the elephant population and 15% of the tiger population of India...
. The Kannadiga culture protects and balances Kaadu and Naadu as can be seen. Although seen scantly still the state enjoys the diversity owing to tribal sects of Soliga
Soliga
A Soliga is a member of a tribe in India that inhabits the Biligirirangan and associated hill ranges in Southern Karnataka, mostly in Chamarajanagar District, bordering the Erode district of Tamil Nadu . Most of them are concentrated in and around the BR Hills in Yelandur and Kollegal Taluks of...
, Badaga, Jenu Kuruba
Jenu Kuruba
Jenu in Kannada means honey and kuruba is the caste. As the name suggesta Jenu Kurubas are honey gatherers. Like the Kadu Kurubas, Jenu kurubas are the original inhabitants of the forests of the Western Ghats , Southern India.- Origins :...
, Hakki Pikki, Lambani and other inhabitants of forests. also see Appiko Chaluvali
Appiko movement
ABOUT APPIKO MOVEMENTThe Appiko movement was a revolutionary movement based on environmental conservation in India.The Chipko movement in Uttarakhand in the Himalayas inspired the villagers of the district of Karnataka province in southern India to launch a similar movement to save their forests...
Some noted environmentalists include
- Ullas KaranthUllas KaranthK. Ullas Karanth , Ph. D., is a conservation zoologist and a leading tiger expert based in Karnataka, India. He is the director of the Wildlife Conservation Society India Program. Dr. Karanth directs the WCS effort to help save the tiger, and has conducted country-wide surveys to better estimate...
(tiger research biologists/Zoologist) - Sanjay Gubbi
- Nerain Jain
- D.V Girish
- Chinnappa
- Saalumarada ThimmakkaSaalumarada ThimmakkaSaalumarada Thimmakka is an Indian environmentalist from the state of Karnataka, noted for her work in planting and tending to 284 banyan trees along a four-kilometre stretch of highway. Her work has been honoured with the National Citizen's Award of India....
- Suresh HeblikarSuresh HeblikarSuresh Heblikar is a Kannada filmmaker, director and actor. He is also a well known environmentalist, founding the Eco-Watch NGO in 1998. He has produced many noteworthy movies in Kannada of which Kadina Benki won Best Director national award and Usha Kiran the Filmfare award. His films are known...
- Poornachandra TejaswiPoornachandra TejaswiKuppali Puttappa Poornachandra Tejaswi was a prominent Kannada writer and novelist who has made a great impession in "Navya" period of Kannada literature and inaugurated the bandaya or "protest literature" with his short-story collection Abachoorina Post Offisu.At early stages of his writing...
(Ornithologist / Littérateur) - Snake ShyamSnake ShyamM.S. Balasubramaniam, popularly known as Snake Shyam, is a snake enthusiast, wildlife conservationist and lecturer in Mysore, India. Though not a trained herpetologist, he is known throughout the Mysore region as a "naturalist on wheels". Shyam rescues and rehabilitates snakes and educates the...
- Krupakar-SenaniKrupakar-SenaniKrupakar Senani are wildlife photographers belonging to the state of Karnataka, India. They have also produced the wildlife film Wild Dog Diaries for National Geographic Channel, which has won the following awards:...
Current Cricketers
- Rahul DravidRahul DravidRahul Sharad Dravid , is a cricketer in the Indian national team, of which he has been a regular member since 1996. He was appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team in October 2005 and resigned from the post in September 2007. Dravid was honoured as one of the top-five Wisden Cricketers...
- Abhimanyu MithunAbhimanyu MithunAbhimanyu Mithun is an Indian international cricketer. In first class cricket, he plays for Karnataka. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, Mithun was called up to the India squad for the first Test against South Africa in 2009–10, only ten weeks after making his first-class debut. He has also...
- Robin UthappaRobin UthappaRobin Venu Uthappa is an Indian cricketer. His father is Venu Uthappa, an international hockey referee from Kodagu, Karnataka, mother Roselyn is a home maker and hails from Kozhikode, Kerala and his sister Sharon is a business owner. He studied at St. Joseph's Boys High School, Bangalore...
- Vinay KumarVinay KumarVinay Kumar is an Indian cricket player who represents the state of Karnataka.He was signed to play for the Bangalore Royal Challengers team in the Indian Premier League for the first three seasons. In the fourth season he was contracted by Kochi Tuskers Kerala for US$475,000...
Retired Cricketers
- Anil KumbleAnil KumbleAnil Kumble is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian Test cricket team. He is a right-arm leg spin bowler and a right-hand batsman. He is currently the leading wicket-taker for India in both Test and One Day International matches...
- Javagal SrinathJavagal SrinathJavagal Srinath is a former Indian cricketer. He was a frontline fast bowler for the Indian cricket team until his retirement, being the second Indian pace bowler after Kapil Dev to take 200 Test wickets. One ball that he bowled during the 1996 tour of South Africa measured...
- Gundappa Vishwanath
- Vijay Bhardwaj
- Venkatesh PrasadVenkatesh PrasadBapu Krishnarao Venkatesh Prasad is a former Indian cricketer. He is the bowling coach for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, having formerly performed the same role for the Indian cricket team from 2007 to 2009. He made his debut in 1996...
- B. Chandrashekhar
- E. A. S. PrasannaE. A. S. PrasannaErapalli Anantharao Srinivas Prasanna is a famous former cricket player from Bangalore, India. He was a spin bowler, specializing in off spin and a member of the Indian spin quartet. He is an alumunus of National Institute of Engineering , Mysore.-Career:Prasanna played his debut Test cricket...
- Roger BinnyRoger BinnyRoger Michael Humphrey Binny is an Indian former cricket all-rounder who is best known for his impressive bowling performance in the 1983 Cricket World Cup where he was the highest wicket-taker , and in the 1985 World Series Cricket Championship in Australia where he repeated this feat .Binny...
- Sunil JoshiSunil JoshiSunil Bandacharya Joshi is a former Indian cricketer. He is an all-rounder who bowls slow left arm spin and bats left-handed. He used to travel 40 miles to Hubli each morning for practice, and then return to his native town of Gadag in time for school...
- Syed KirmaniSyed KirmaniPadma Sri Syed Mujtaba Hussain Kirmani played cricket for India and Karnataka as a wicket-keeper.-International career:...
- Sujith Somasundar
- Dodda GaneshDodda GaneshDoddanarasiah Ganesh is a former Indian cricketer who played in 4 Tests and one ODI in 1997. He was a right arm seam bowler....
Purana
The Puranas describe the region as Kishkindha in the ages of Ramayana. There are also literary evidences for the region of Mysore called as Mahisha Mandala after demon named Mahishasura. Parashurama and Hanumantha are some epic characters to be cited relating to place.Punya Koti
One of the most prominently popular and acknowledged JaanapadaJaanapada
Jaanapada is a word made by two words Jana - People or tribe Pada - a kind of short verse joined together as a sandhi- a grammatical term...
song is Dharani mandala madhyadolage which narrates an incidence between mother cow and an aggressive tiger in a country called Karnata
Vishwa Maanava
Karnataka as now can be viewed as a multi cultural state with almost all the religions that can be found in India can be found here and there has been lot emigration as well due to which multi-ethnic diaspora can be seen . As the Kingdoms provided a safe centres for development of all cultures we can see a huge diversities from region to region. Even the language and dialects varies from place to place. The language has evolved distinctly in both the backyard(folk/basic/prakrutha) and frontyard (refined and related to Samskrutha/Sankrit) of the culture. It can be said that the major works of Sanskrit have originated and continues to evolve here. ShringeriShringeri
Sringeri , also written as Sringeri, Śŗngeri and Śŗngagiri is a hill town and taluk headquarters located in Chikmagalur district in the Indian state of Karnataka, is the site of the first maţha established by Adi Shankaracharya, Hindu theologian and exponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, in...
, Udupi are some of nerve centres. One of the leading examples include a village near Shivamogga where people speak only Sanskrit till date. Bengaluru has almost all language speakers of India.
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
an colonies for refugees from Tibet are formed, one near Mundgod
Mundgod
Mundgod is a panchayat town in Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It lies en route to Hubli from Sirsi. It is a Main road town.-Tourist attractions of Mundgod region:* Tibetan colony Mundgod...
and one near Kushalanagara for protecting them from Chinese atrocities. Karnataka has also sheltered flood victims of North Eastern India like Assam and provided them jobs. One of the easily seen diversity is the surnames which vary from hugely like some may involve names involving a Hindu and Muslim name or having a Hindu Christian name (more found in Mangalore) or even a Muslim Christian name. Hindu is normally considered a misnomer for Sanathana.
Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra are the only two states which have diversity of including both Malenadu Nithyaharidwarna -evergreen ghats and Bayaluseeme which have different ways of living in the same state. Not only this but it acts as a gateway to North and South Indian culture
South Indian culture
South Indian culture refers to the culture of the South Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. South Indian culture though with its visible differences forms an important part of the Indian culture. The South Indian Culture is essentially the celebration of the eternal...
s. It may come as a surprise that Karnataka is next only to Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
in India when it comes to area under arid land but still Southern Karnataka is referred to as Gandhada Gudi
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
- temple of sandalwood found in its protected forests.
Political sphere
After the Odeyar era who already had established democracy by naming elected representative called Saamantha in southern regions as early as 19th century, the 1947 partition brought a centre into being under democracy and Karnataka accepted a bicameral legislature. But this was a functionally a failure as there always has been a tug of war from centre and states to an extent that from 1990s to 2010 there have always been different political parties operating at centre and state. North Karnataka had other problems of getting independence more from Nizams. So there were two different spheres. Lack of will and coordination and constant fights have been hallmark of politics which has prevented a regional party/media from arising in the land. KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
being a neighbour where hugely successful communist ideology in bringing up literacy levels has also a backing here and a few naxalite
Naxalite
The word Naxal, Naxalite or Naksalvadi is a generic term used to refer to various militant Communist groups operating in different parts of India under different organizational envelopes...
outfits do function in Karnataka. Also functional failure of all pillars of democracy even being upper riparian state can be clearly seen in the Kaveri River Water Dispute
Kaveri River Water Dispute
The sharing of waters of the river Kaveri had been the bone of contention of a serious conflict between the Indian states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu...
issue. The failure extended to bureaucracy and Karnataka reached the position of being fourth most corrupt state of India due to political and bureaucratic lobby due to which Lokayukta (see N. Venkatachala
N. Venkatachala
Nanje Gowda Venkatachala is retired judge of the Supreme court of India and former Lokayukta of state of Karnataka. He was popular for his approach of taking action in each and every case he caught, many times red-handed by personally leading the raid while he was serving as Lokayukta...
) was formed but could not get the required powers to deal with the powerful. In the field of press and journalism P. Lankesh
P. Lankesh
Palegar Lankeshappa was a major Indian writer and journalist, writing in the Kannada language. He is probably the only writer who can be credited with bringing magical realism to Kannada literature apart from innovative use of the language...
and S. Gurumurthy
S. Gurumurthy
Swaminathan Gurumurthy is the co-convenor of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, a journalist and a chartered accountant in India, and an RSS idealogue...
are some of the noted ones famous for their leftist affiliations.
The Dravidian leader and social reformer Periyar, was a descendant of migrant commanders from the Mysore region. Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
Erode Venkata Ramasamy , affectionately called by his followers as Periyar , Thanthai Periyar or E. V...
single handedly changed the essence of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and Indian politics to a very great extent. The present Tamil Nadu politics has descended from Periyar and his movement. In one of his speeches,he is quoted as saying "Many people say I am not a Tamilian myself. They are saying this because my mother tongue is Kannada. Many think that I am a Telugu Naidu. I am a Kannadiga of the Balijawar caste."
M. P. Veerendra Kumar
M. P. Veerendra Kumar
M. P. Veerendra Kumar was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He is a member of the Socialist Janata political party and the president of Kerala state unit of the party. He is also the chairman and Managing editor of the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi...
, a similar Kannadiga in Kerala is a multi faceted personality having a prominent hand in making Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
a leading Malayalam journal, besides being an active politician and a noted new genre Malayalam Litterateur.
Horanadu Kannadiga
Horanadu Kannadigas (or Non-resident Kannadigas) are Kannadigas who have migrated to another state or country, people of Kannada origin who is born outside Karnataka, or people of Kannada origin who reside permanently outside of Karnataka. N R Narayana Murthy, speaking at the 2011 World Kannada Conference, opined that Kannadigas who move out of the State are respected everywhere. Although the failure in political arena has reflected in the cultural isolation of emigrants, some of the successful functional bodies include Singara (SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
), Dehali Kannadiga (New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
), Mumbai Karnataka Sangha (Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
), Mallige Kannada Balaga (Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
), North America Vishwa Kannada Association (NAVIKA) and Association of Kannada Kootas of America
Association of Kannada Kootas of America
Association of Kannada Kootas of America is a non-profit organization primarily aimed at networking of Kannadigas in the United States and Canada. It is incorporated in Florida. AKKA was founded in February 1998, after the World Kannada Sammelana in Phoenix, Arizona, where officebearers were elected...
(AKKA) in the USA who try being culturally involved.
Kannada Kannadiga Karnataka
During the period of British ruleBritish Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, state of Karnataka as it stands today did not exist. Areas that today comprise Karnataka were under as many as 20 different administrative units with the princely state of Mysore
Kingdom of Mysore
The Kingdom of Mysore was a kingdom of southern India, traditionally believed to have been founded in 1399 in the vicinity of the modern city of Mysore. The kingdom, which was ruled by the Wodeyar family, initially served as a vassal state of the Vijayanagara Empire...
, Nizam's Hyderabad
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
, the Bombay Presidency
Bombay Presidency
The Bombay Presidency was a province of British India. It was established in the 17th century as a trading post for the English East India Company, but later grew to encompass much of western and central India, as well as parts of post-partition Pakistan and the Arabian Peninsula.At its greatest...
, the Madras Presidency
Madras Presidency
The Madras Presidency , officially the Presidency of Fort St. George and also known as Madras Province, was an administrative subdivision of British India...
and the territory of Kodagu
Kodagu
Kodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
being the most important ones. In effect, nearly two-thirds of what is now Karnataka fell outside the rule of the Wodeyar kings of Mysore
Wodeyar
The Wodeyar dynasty was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947, until the independence of India from British rule and the subsequent unification of the Indian dominion and princely states into the Republic of India.The spelling Wodeyar/Wadiyar is found in most...
. In addition the proposed state had 6 neighbours Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
and all had Kannadigas in them.
What this meant for the Kannadigas in these regions was that they were reduced to linguistic minorities wherever they were. Kannadigas in the Hubli-Karnataka region for example, came under the rule of the Bombay Presidency where Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
was the official language. Those in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region came under the Nizam's rule where Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
ruled.
It was in this backdrop that the movement that first started as a protest against linguistic oppression, soon morphed into one that began demanding a separate state be created consolidating all Kannada speaking regions. This was essentially a movement that was spearheaded by the poets, journalists and writers and was called the Ekikarana or 'Unification' movement.
India gained independence in 1947. The joy of independence soon gave way to disappointment as the new government started dragging its feet on Karnataka Ekikarana movement. Kannada speaking areas now got grouped under five administrative units of the Bombay and Madras provinces, Kodagu, and the princely states of Mysore and Hyderabad. The Akhila Karnataka Ekikarana Parishat met in Kasargod and reiterated the demand for a separate state for Kannadigas.
The ratification in parliament of the recommendations of the Fazal Ali Committee brought unbounded joy to the entire Kannadiga population that now was merged under the state of Mysore
Mysore State
The Kingdom of Mysore was one of the three largest princely states within the erstwhile British Empire of India. Upon India gaining its independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Mysore merged his realm with the Union of India...
. Along with all the joy, came the acute disappointment at the non inclusion of certain parts in the Mysore state. The biggest disappointment lay in the non inclusion of Kasargod in the newly formed state. The irony also lay in the fact that Kasargod was one of the bastions from which the Ekikarana movement had launched its agitation. This is an issue that continues to rankle those who fought for the unification of Karnataka. Some like literary giant and nonagenarian Kayyara Kiyyanna Rai who was part of the movement since its earliest days still continues to fight for Kasargod's merger with Karnataka albeit peacefully. Belgaum border dispute
Belgaum border dispute
The Belgaum border dispute is a dispute involving the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Belgaum, currently a part of Karnataka and earlier the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, is claimed by Maharashtra on linguistic grounds.-Background:...
is another controversial issue which has led to huge turmoil in border of Karnataka and Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
.
On 1 November 1973, under Devaraj Urs as Chief Minister, Mysore state was renamed as Karnataka since it was felt that Karnataka was more 'inclusive' of all the other regions of Karnataka than the name Mysore.
Some of the active Kannada pro organisations include
- Karnataka Vidyavardhaka SanghaKarnataka Vidyavardhaka SanghaThe Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha was an institution established on 20 July 1890 by Sri R H Deshpande in Dharwad, India which was then under the British rule of Bombay Presidency...
- Karnataka Ekikarana Samithi
- Karnataka Rakshana VedikeKarnataka Rakshana VedikeKarnataka Rakshana Vedike , translated as Karnataka Protection Forum, is a pro-Kannada, non-partisan organization located in the state of Karnataka, India...
- Kannada Chalavali Vatal PakshaKannada Chalavali Vatal PakshaKannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha is a regional political party in Karnataka, India. KCVP has a staunch pro-Kannada position, for example in the Kaveri river water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu or against any bifurcation of the state. The party is led by Vatal Nagaraj....
Kannada ethnic flag
The Kannada ethnic flagEthnic flag
An ethnic flag is a flag that symbolizes a certain ethnic group. Ethnic flags are often introduced to the ethnic community through the respective cultural or political ethnic movements...
is a banner with two horizontal stripes, yellow on top and red on the bottom. The flag although neither officially declared nor represents any legendary empire but something which is accepted in recent times unofficially representing a symbol of welfare as turmeric
Turmeric
Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical South Asia and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive...
(ಅರಿಶಿಣ) and kumkum
Kumkum
Kumkum , is a powder used for social and religious markings in Hinduism. It is either made from turmeric or saffron...
(ಕುಂಕುಮ).
See also
- KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
- Kannada languageKannada languageKannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
- Kannada literatureKannada literatureKannada literature is the corpus of written forms of the Kannada language, a member of the Dravidian family spoken mainly in the Indian state of Karnataka and written in the Kannada script....
- Karnataka literatureKarnataka LiteratureKarnataka literature denotes to the wealth of literature created in the region of Karnataka in South India roughly corresponding to the modern state of Karnataka...
- Kannada poetryKannada poetryKannada poetry is poetry written in the Kannada language spoken in Karnataka. Karnataka is the land that gave birth to eight Jnanapeeth award winners, the highest honour bestowed for Indian literature...
- List of people from Karnataka
- List of people from Bangalore
- Cinema of Karnataka
- Kannada Wikipedia
- SiribhoovalayaSiribhoovalayaThe Siribhoovalaya is a unique work of multi-lingual literature written by Kumudendu Muni, a Jain monk. The work is unique in that it employs not alphabets, but is composed entirely in Kannada numerals. The Saangathya metre of Kannada poetry is employed in the work...