Kannada Literature Books For UPSC PDF Download

Kannada is a language that is predominantly spoken in the state of Karnataka, as well as in certain parts of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Goa. Aspirants preparing for the UPSC Exam, who have a good command of the Kannada language, can select it as their optional subject. It is not necessary to have a literature background in the language to cover the UPSC Kannada literature syllabus.
With a proper strategy and dedicated effort, it is relatively easier to score well in literature optional subjects in UPSC Mains. The amount of effort required to complete the syllabus and revisions is also comparatively lower than that required for other optional subjects.

UPSC Kannada Literature Books

Similar to other optional subjects, Kannada Literature optional subject also has two papers- Paper I and Paper II. If the aspirants are not graduates of Kannada literature, it is recommended to join coaching. But it is not mandatory. In the end, aspirants’ confidence and efforts matter.
To cover UPSC Kannada Literature Syllabus, IAS aspirants should read the following Kannada literature books for IAS to prepare for the Mains exam:
UPSC Kannada Literature Books for Optional Paper-I:

• Linguistic History of Kannada Language-M.H. Krishnaiah
• Kannada Bhasha Shastra- R.Y. Dharwadkar
• Kannada Sahitya Charitre- R.S. Mugali

UPSC Kannada Literature Books for Optional Paper-II:

• Bettada Jeeva-Shivarama Karanth
• Madhavi-Arupama Niranjana
• Odalaala-Devanuru Mahadeva
• Devaru- A.N. Moorty Rao
• Janapada Swaroopa-Dr. H.M. Nayak.
• Janapriya Kanakasamputa-D.G Javare Gowda
• Kannada Janapada Kathegalu-J.S. Paramashivaiah
• Kannada Sanna Kathegalu-G.H. Nayak
• Kumaravyasa Bharata-Kumaravyasa
• Nambiyannana Raagale-T.N. Sreekantaiah
• Pampana Samastha Bharata Kathamrita-L. Basavaraju
• Shudra Tapaswi-Kuvempu
• Tughlaq-Girish Karnad.
• Vachana Kammata-K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj
• Vikramarjuna Vijaya of Pampa

UPSC Kannada Literature Optional- Tips & Strategies

A few thumb rules while preparing for Kannada literature optional are:

• Develop a taste for classics in Kannada literature, this would enable you to enjoy the preparation process.
• Solve at least the last 5 years Kannada optional papers as up to 50% of the concepts get recycled in successive exams.
• Download and read the UPSC Kannada literature syllabus periodically.
• Develop a habit of taking an analytical view of the books you read for this subject, as the most scoring portions of both papers focus on the analysis of various works.
• Always write your own Kannada literature notes for IAS and use them for revision. It would be useful to compare them with UPSC topper’s notes to check if any important topic has been missed.