Kesiraja
Encyclopedia
Kēśirāja, also spelled Keshiraja, was a 13th century Kannada
grammarian and a poet. He is particularly known for authoring Shabdamanidarpana
, an authoritative work on Kannada grammar. Because of this work, he is considered to be the "greatest theorist of Kannada grammar". He was also a scholar in Sanskrit and a court poet (Aasthaana kavi) at the Hoysala Court.
writers. His father, Mallikarjuna (C. 1245 CE), was a Kannada poet and brother-in-law of Janna
. Kesiraja is also the grandson on his mother's side of another poet, Śankara (Sumanōbana), who was priest of the Yadava capital and poet laureate to King Narasimha I
. In some of his works, Kesiraja has called himself Kesava.
, ("Jewel-mirror of Grammar") was authored by Kesiraja in 1260 CE. This work remains a comprehensive, authoritative work on Kannada grammar. The rules mentioned therein were penned in kanda metre and followed a vrutti style (illustrative commentary by the author himself). And though Kesiraja followed the model of Sanskrit grammar of the Katantra school and that of earlier writings on Kannada grammar, his work has an originality of its own.
The text of Shabdamanidarpana begins with poetry of earlier generations who are cited by Kesiraja as authoritative examples:
An attempt at vocabulary building is provided in several parts of the work. There is a list of verbal roots and words containing ḷ and ḹ sounds. There is also a chapter called "PrayŌgasāra" where Kesiraja has quoted a number of rare words along with their meanings.
.
However, no copy of these books exist.
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...
grammarian and a poet. He is particularly known for authoring Shabdamanidarpana
Shabdamanidarpana
Shabhamanidarpana , also spelled Śabdamaṇidarpaṇa, is a comprehensive and authoritative work on Kannada grammar authored by Kesiraja in 1260 CE. This work, which literally means "Jewel-mirror of Grammar", remains till now as the comprehensive and early authoritative work on Kannada grammar...
, an authoritative work on Kannada grammar. Because of this work, he is considered to be the "greatest theorist of Kannada grammar". He was also a scholar in Sanskrit and a court poet (Aasthaana kavi) at the Hoysala Court.
Early life
Kesiraja was born in a literary family, comprising several, well-known KannadaKannada 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....
writers. His father, Mallikarjuna (C. 1245 CE), was a Kannada poet and brother-in-law of 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...
. Kesiraja is also the grandson on his mother's side of another poet, Śankara (Sumanōbana), who was priest of the Yadava capital and poet laureate to King Narasimha I
Narasimha I
Narasimha I was a ruler of the Hoysala Empire. Apart from his victory over his overlord Chalukya Tailapa III which paved way for declaration of independence by his successor, his importance to historians is considered little....
. In some of his works, Kesiraja has called himself Kesava.
Shabdamanidarpana
ShabdamanidarpanaShabdamanidarpana
Shabhamanidarpana , also spelled Śabdamaṇidarpaṇa, is a comprehensive and authoritative work on Kannada grammar authored by Kesiraja in 1260 CE. This work, which literally means "Jewel-mirror of Grammar", remains till now as the comprehensive and early authoritative work on Kannada grammar...
, ("Jewel-mirror of Grammar") was authored by Kesiraja in 1260 CE. This work remains a comprehensive, authoritative work on Kannada grammar. The rules mentioned therein were penned in kanda metre and followed a vrutti style (illustrative commentary by the author himself). And though Kesiraja followed the model of Sanskrit grammar of the Katantra school and that of earlier writings on Kannada grammar, his work has an originality of its own.
The text of Shabdamanidarpana begins with poetry of earlier generations who are cited by Kesiraja as authoritative examples:
An attempt at vocabulary building is provided in several parts of the work. There is a list of verbal roots and words containing ḷ and ḹ sounds. There is also a chapter called "PrayŌgasāra" where Kesiraja has quoted a number of rare words along with their meanings.
Passion for grammar
Kesiraja had an interest in grammar, which is evident from his writings through his grammar work ShabdamanidarpanaShabdamanidarpana
Shabhamanidarpana , also spelled Śabdamaṇidarpaṇa, is a comprehensive and authoritative work on Kannada grammar authored by Kesiraja in 1260 CE. This work, which literally means "Jewel-mirror of Grammar", remains till now as the comprehensive and early authoritative work on Kannada grammar...
.
Literary works
Apart from his major grammar work Shabdamanidarpana, Kesiraja has authored several other works in Kannada:- Prabodhachandra (ಪ್ರಬೋಧಚಂದ್ರ)
- Chorapalaka Charitam (ಚೋರಪಾಲಕ ಚರಿತ)
- Kiratam (or Kiratarjuniyam) (ಕಿರಾತ)
- Shubhadraharana (ಸುಭದ್ರಾ ಹರಣ)
- Sri Chitramale (ಶ್ರೀ ಚಿತ್ರಮಾಲೆ)
However, no copy of these books exist.