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Bharatiya Jnanpith Award and Kannada Literature

• Bharatiya Jnanpith is India's highest and most prestigious literary award. Out of its 32 years of existence, Kannada writers have received this award 7 times, highlighting the strength and brilliance of Kannada literature. 
• This achievement is remarkable in a country with around 30 prominent languages, underscoring the artistic excellence of Kannada writers.

Kannada Language: Global Presence and Significance

• Ranked 27th among the most spoken languages in the world, Kannada is the native language for approximately 44 million Kannadigas, primarily residing in Karnataka, India.
• Kannada is a major member of the Dravidian language family and has a rich literary tradition that dates back to the 4th-5th century AD. Recognized as one of the official languages of India, Kannada has recently been designated as a classical language.

Origins and Early Development of Kannada

• Like other South Indian languages in the Dravidian family, Kannada developed under the significant influence of Sanskrit during its early stages. In the Early Dravidian period, Kannada was known as "Banavasi," meaning "dwellers of the forests." Scholars suggest that Kannada has a history spanning 2,000 years, with a mention of a word resembling Kannada in one of Ashoka’s rock edicts from 230 BC. 
• However, evidence of written Kannada tradition dates back to the 5th-6th century AD, including stone inscriptions in Brahmi characters similar to Tamil, which marked the language's Old Kannada phase. Some of the notable inscriptions include those from Halmidi, Chitradurga, and Chikkamagaluru, with around 30,000 inscriptions discovered so far. Additionally, copper plates from the 8th century and a palm leaf manuscript from the 9th century mark significant milestones in the language's development.

The Classical Era of Kannada Literature

• The 10th century marked the beginning of classical Kannada literature, led by three Jain writers—Adikavi Pampa, Sri Ponna, and Ranna—known as the 'Three Gems of Kannada literature.' Adikavi Pampa, author of Adipurana (941 AD), is regarded as one of the greatest Kannada writers. 
• His work Vikrmarjuna Vijaya, based on the epic Mahabharata, is another significant contribution. Chavundaraya, who installed the famous statue of Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola in AD 983, is another notable figure in Kannada history.

Akka Mahadevi and the Rise of Women Poets

• Akka Mahadevi, a prominent poet who lived in Karnataka around the 1100s, was known for her dedication to Shiva. Her poems, written in free verse style in Kannada, are among the earliest works by women poets in the language. 
• Despite societal pressures, she remained unmarried, declaring that Cenna Mallikarjuna, meaning "Lord, white as jasmine" (a reference to Shiva), was her only lover and husband. 
• She rejected arranged marriages and is believed to have died in her 20s. Around 350 vacanas (poems) are attributed to her, all dedicated to Shiva. In addition to these poems, she wrote two short works: Mantrogopya and Yogangatrividhi.

Linguistic Phases of Kannada

Linguists categorize the Kannada language into three distinct phases: Old Kannada (850-1200 AD), Middle Kannada (1200-1700 AD), and Modern Kannada (1700 onwards). Each phase reflects the language's evolution and its rich literary heritage.

Linguistic and Literary Phases of Kannada

The development of the Kannada language is marked by distinct linguistic phases. However, from a literary perspective, scholars identify three different ages: the Jain, Veerashaiva, and Vaishnava periods, followed by the modern age.

The Jain Age and Early Kannada Literature

The earliest Kannada literary works, starting with Kavirajamarga around 850 AD, were predominantly produced by Jain writers. This period, extending through the middle of the 12th century, saw the flourishing of Jain literature in Kannada.

The Veerashaiva Movement and Kaivalya Literature

• Following the Jain age, the Veerashaiva movement brought another significant phase of Kannada literature. 
• The rulers of Vijayanagara encouraged this literary movement, which followed the Advaita philosophy of Sankara. 
• The Kaivalya school of writing emerged during this time, with Shivayogi as its most prominent writer.

The Vaishnava Influence and the Vijayanagara Golden Age

• The literary landscape of Karnataka further evolved under the influence of two prominent philosophers, Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya, who played a crucial role in converting many Jains to Vaishnavism, including the king. 
• The Vijayanagara Empire marked a golden era for Kannada literature, particularly under the Vaishnava movement.

Prominent Vaishnava Poets and Their Contributions

• During the Vijayanagara period, poets like Kumara Vyasa emerged as influential figures. Known as the "Emperor of Metaphors," Kumara Vyasa authored Kumaravyasa Bharata in the traditional Vyasa style. 
• Another notable poet was Kumara Valmiki, who wrote Torave Ramayana, an adaptation of the epic Ramayana, which later inspired the folk theatre of Karnataka, such as Yakshagana.

The Vaishnava Bhakti Movement

• The 15th century witnessed the rise of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement, spreading the teachings of Vedantin Madhvacharya to the masses. Key figures in this movement included Naraharitirtha, Jayatirtha, Vyasatirtha, Sripadaraya, and Purandara Dasa. 
• Purandara Dasa (1484-1564), often called the "Patriarch of Carnatic Music," is believed to have composed around 475,000 songs in Kannada and Sanskrit. Though only about 1,000 of these songs remain, his simple language and codification of Carnatic music's basics made his work accessible to the common man.

The Wodeyar Support for Kannada Literature

• Even after the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century, Kannada literature continued to thrive, supported by the Wodeyar rulers of Mysore. These rulers not only encouraged writers but also contributed as authors and composers themselves. King Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar (1673-1704) authored the famous treatise on music, Geetha Gopala. 
• King Kanteerava Narasaraja Wodeyar II (1704-1714) wrote 14 Yakshaganas, and Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar (1794-1868) produced over 40 writings, leaving a lasting legacy in Kannada literature.

The Modern Period of Kannada Literature

• The modern era of Kannada literature began in the early 19th century, marked by the publication of Kempu Narayana's novel Mudramanjusha. The introduction of Western-style education, the printing press, and the work of Christian missionaries greatly contributed to the growth of modern literature in Kannada. 
• In 1843, Karnataka saw the publication of its first Kannada newspaper, Mangalore Samachara. The first Kannada-English dictionary was published in 1894. Translations from English and other Indian languages like Bengali and Marathi further enriched Kannada literature, leading to an influx of novels, essays, dramas, and literary criticisms.

B. M. Srikantaiah and the Birth of Modern Kannada Literature

• B. M. Srikantaiah, often regarded as the 'Father' of Modern Kannada literature, played a pivotal role in shaping its direction. At the beginning of the 20th century, he urged writers to move away from archaic forms of writing and explore original and contemporary themes. 
• This period, known as Navodaya or "new sunrise," was characterized by the significant influence of Western culture and literature, which infused Kannada literature with a fresh creative energy.

New Creative Directions in Kannada Literature

• During this time, authors like Shivarama Karanth (Chomana Dudi) and Masti Venkatesh Iyengar (Sanna Kathegalu) laid the foundation for a new style of storytelling in Kannada. T. P. Kailasam broke new ground in Kannada drama with works like Tollu Gatti and Tali Kattoke Cooline. 
• The first half of the 20th century saw a rise in realistic novels, with Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, D.V. Gundappa, K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu), Shivaram Karanth, G. P. Rajaratnam, V. K. Gokak, and Gopal Krishna Adiga emerging as leading figures in Kannada literature.

The Rise of Short Stories and Poetry

• Short stories and poems became key literary forms for expressing the struggles and aspirations of a new life. Poets like K.S. Narasimhaswamy (Silalathe and Gadiyaradangdiya Munde), Chandrasekhara Kambar, D.R. Bendre, and Chandrasekhar Patil made significant contributions to Kannada literature. 
• Playwrights like P. Lankesh and Girish Karnad, with his renowned play Tughlaq, further enriched the literary scene. U. R. Ananthamurthy, with works like Samskara, Prasne, Ghatashraddha, Mouni, and Navilugulu, along with K.S. Nissar Ahmed, became some of the most celebrated writers in Kannada literature, shaping the language's literary heritage in Karnataka.