Extinct Kannada literature
Encyclopedia
Extinct Kannada literature is a hypothesized body of literature of the Kannada language
dating from the period preceding the first extant work, Kavirajamarga
(ca. 850 CE).
Although no works of this period are available now, references to them are found in the Kavirajamarga and a handful of other extant works. Some scholars have hypothesized that a body of literature must have existed in an earlier period; other scholars, however, have disputed this assertion, claiming that the putative body of literature, if it existed, was contemporaneous to Kavirajamarga.
s is the Halmidi inscription
, allegedly a Kadamba royal edict
commonly dated to fifth or sixth century CE. The earliest surviving literary work, the Kavirajamarga
("Royal Path for Poets") is dated to 850 CE; references are made in it to earlier prose writers such as Durvinita
, Vimalachandra, Udaya, Nagarjuna, Jayabhandu and to poets including Kavisvara, Srivijaya, Pandita, Chandra, Ravi Kirti (634) and Lokapala.
discusses earlier composition forms peculiar to Kannada, the gadyakatha, a mixture of prose and poetry, the chattana and the bedande, poems of several stanzas that were meant to be sung with the optional use of a musical instrument. Regarding earlier poems in Kannada, the author of Kavirajamarga states that old Kannada is appropriate in ancient poems but insipid in contemporaneous works.
Other writers, whose works are not extant now but titles of whose works are mentioned in independent references are Syamakundacharya (650), who authored the Prabhrita, and Srivaradhadeva (also called Tumubuluracharya, 650 or earlier), who wrote the Chudamani ("Crest Jewel"), a 96,000-verse commentary on logic
. The Karnatheshwara Katha, a eulogy of the Chalukya King Pulakesi II
, is ascribed to the 7th or 8th century. The Gajashtaka, a lost ashtaka (eight line verse) composition, was authored by King Shivamara II
in 800. The composition served as the basis for two popular folk songs, ovanige and onakevadu, which were sung either while pounding corn or to entice wild elephants into a pit (ovam).
Srivijaya, a court poet of Amoghavarsha I, wrote the Chandraprabha Purana in the 9th century. During the same period, the Digambara
Jain poet Asaga
(or Asoka) authored, among other writings, Karnata Kumarasambhava Kavya and Varadamana Charitra. His works have been praised by later poets, although none of his works are available today. Gunagankiyam, the earliest known prosody in Kannada, was referenced in a Tamil
work dated to 10th century or earlier (Yapparungalakkarigai by Amritasagara). Gunanandi, an expert in logic, Kannada grammar and prose flourished in the 9th century. Around 900, Gunavarma I
wrote Sudraka and Harivamsa (also known as Neminatha Purana). In Sudraka he compared his patron, Ganga king Ereganga Neetimarga II, to a noted king called Sudraka.
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...
dating from the period preceding the first extant work, 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...
(ca. 850 CE).
Although no works of this period are available now, references to them are found in the Kavirajamarga and a handful of other extant works. Some scholars have hypothesized that a body of literature must have existed in an earlier period; other scholars, however, have disputed this assertion, claiming that the putative body of literature, if it existed, was contemporaneous to Kavirajamarga.
Some early writings and forms
The earliest available examples of a Kannada inscriptionEpigraphy
Epigraphy 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...
s is the Halmidi inscription
Halmidi inscription
The Halmidi inscription is the oldest known Kannada language inscription in the Kannada script. Experts agree on the relative date , but differ on absolute date. Estimates vary by about 50 years either side of about 500 AD . The inscription was discovered in 1936 by Dr. M. H...
, allegedly a Kadamba royal edict
Edict
An edict is an announcement of a law, often associated with monarchism. The Pope and various micronational leaders are currently the only persons who still issue edicts.-Notable edicts:...
commonly dated to fifth or sixth century CE. The earliest surviving literary work, the 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...
("Royal Path for Poets") is dated to 850 CE; references are made in it to earlier prose writers such as Durvinita
Durvinita
Durvinita 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...
, Vimalachandra, Udaya, Nagarjuna, Jayabhandu and to poets including Kavisvara, Srivijaya, Pandita, Chandra, Ravi Kirti (634) and Lokapala.
Extinct writings and forms
KavirajamargaKavirajamarga
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...
discusses earlier composition forms peculiar to Kannada, the gadyakatha, a mixture of prose and poetry, the chattana and the bedande, poems of several stanzas that were meant to be sung with the optional use of a musical instrument. Regarding earlier poems in Kannada, the author of Kavirajamarga states that old Kannada is appropriate in ancient poems but insipid in contemporaneous works.
Other writers, whose works are not extant now but titles of whose works are mentioned in independent references are Syamakundacharya (650), who authored the Prabhrita, and Srivaradhadeva (also called Tumubuluracharya, 650 or earlier), who wrote the Chudamani ("Crest Jewel"), a 96,000-verse commentary on logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
. The Karnatheshwara Katha, a eulogy of the Chalukya King Pulakesi II
Pulakesi II
Pulakesin 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:...
, is ascribed to the 7th or 8th century. The Gajashtaka, a lost ashtaka (eight line verse) composition, was authored by King Shivamara II
Shivamara II
Shivamara II was the son of Sripurusha and ruled the Western Ganga Dynasty from 788 - 816 C.E. He was also a noted scholar in Kannada, Sanskrit and Prakrit...
in 800. The composition served as the basis for two popular folk songs, ovanige and onakevadu, which were sung either while pounding corn or to entice wild elephants into a pit (ovam).
Srivijaya, a court poet of Amoghavarsha I, wrote the Chandraprabha Purana in the 9th century. During the same period, the Digambara
Digambara
Digambara "sky-clad" is one of the two main sects of Jainism. "Sky-clad" has many different meaning and associations throughout Indian religions. Many representations of deities within these traditions are depicted as sky-clad, e.g. Samantabhadra/Samantabhadrī in Yab-Yum...
Jain poet Asaga
Asaga
Asaga was a mid-9th century Digambara Jain poet who wrote in Sanskrit and Kannada language. He is most known for his extant work in Sanskrit, the Vardhaman Charitra . This epic poem which runs into 18 cantos was written in 853 CE. It is the earliest available Sanskrit biography of 24th and last...
(or Asoka) authored, among other writings, Karnata Kumarasambhava Kavya and Varadamana Charitra. His works have been praised by later poets, although none of his works are available today. Gunagankiyam, the earliest known prosody in Kannada, was referenced in a Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
work dated to 10th century or earlier (Yapparungalakkarigai by Amritasagara). Gunanandi, an expert in logic, Kannada grammar and prose flourished in the 9th century. Around 900, Gunavarma I
Gunavarma I
Gunavarma I was an early Kannada writer who authored Sudraka and Harivamsa around 900 CE.His works are considered extinct but are found referenced in later years. He was believed to have been patronised by King Ereganga Neetimarga II between the late 9th century and early 10th century.-References:...
wrote Sudraka and Harivamsa (also known as Neminatha Purana). In Sudraka he compared his patron, Ganga king Ereganga Neetimarga II, to a noted king called Sudraka.