Chapter XIII CULTURE - Government of Karnataka

A Handbook of Karnataka 478
wrote ‘Kavyavalokana’, a book on poetics, and ‘Karnataka Bhashabhushana’ a
Kannada grammar in Sanskrit. His ‘Vardhamanapurana’ was discovered only
recently. Janna, a Jain poet again, wrote ‘Yashodhara Charithe’, a romantic
story. Durgasimha, in llth century, wrote ‘Panchatantra’ based on Vasubhaga’s
Sanskrit work, and it is a classic example of the ancient art of story telling.
Rudrabhatta wrote ‘Jagannatha Vijaya’ based on ‘Vishnu Purana’, The last two
were Brahmin poets.
The 12th century saw a sea of change in Kannada literature both in content
and style. What caused this is the growth of Veerashaivism which was essentially
revolutionary in approach. It derecognised untouchability and saw women as
equals. It liberated Kannada from the clutches of Sanskrit. The moving spirit
behind this movement was Basaveshwara, who was a minister in the court
of Prince Bijjala. His Vachanas which can be called prose-poems, have their
origin in folk-literature and folk-culture, and yearn to liberate man from the
bondage of untruth and ignorance. They seek to provide happiness here and
elsewhere. Allamaprabhu, Akkamahadevi, Channabasavanna, Siddarama,
Madivala Machayya, Dohara Kakkayya, etc., were other Vachanakaras of the
period.
After Basavanna, the greatest influence on Kannada literature was
Harihara, who used an innovative form called ‘Ragale’. His ‘Basavarajadevara
Ragale’ and ‘Nambiyannana Ragale’ are the examples of this genre. His nephew
Raghavanka introduced yet another form of poetry called ‘Shatpadi’ and apart
from ‘Somanatha Charithe’ and ‘Siddarama Charithe’ his ‘Harischandra Kavya’
is considered to be a masterpiece.
The Sixteenth Century saw Veerashaiva poets of extraordinary merit.
Sarvajna who was real Vairagi in that he had no settled home, and no religion,
wrote “Sarvajna Padagalu’ in Tripadi style. This work is really a compendium
of wit and wisdom. Nijaguna Sivayogi who was a ruler, saint and scholar wrote
‘Viveka Chintamani’ an encyclopedia in Kannada.
Dasakoota or the Vaishnava movement was led by Purandara Dasa, who
is also considered the father of Karnatic music. Through his Keerthanas, he
propounded the Dwaitha Philosophy and gave an impetus to Bhakthi movement.
Kanaka Dasa, though hailing from the Kuruba community, followed in the
footsteps of Purandara Dasa. He is credited with several Keertanas, being the
author of Mohanatarangini, Ramadhanya charite.
Karnataka culture reached its zenith during the Vijayanagara empire.
Naranappa’s (Kumaravyasa) ‘Karnataka Bharatha Kathamanjari’ or ‘Gadugina
Bharatha’ as it is popularly known is the finest example of the literature of this
period. This was followed by Lakshmisha’s ‘Jaimini Bharatha’ which is also
an immensely popular work. Chamarasa’s ‘Prabhulingalile’ is another notable
work of this period.
Post-renaissance movement saw a four-lined folk-metre called ‘Sangatya’
which was particularly suitable for singing. Nanjundakavi who wrote