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Kannadigas

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ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ (Kannadiga)
ಕನ್ನಡತಿ (Kannadati)
Regions with significant populations
 India  United States
Languages
Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ)
Religion
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism

Kannadiga (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ |masculine|), or Kannadati (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡತಿ |feminine|) refers to populations who natively speak the Kannada language. Kannadigas are mainly located in the state of Karnataka in India, and in the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra. The plural form 'Kannadigas', used frequently, is an English plural.

Kannadigas are people who speak Kannada, its variants or its various dialects. The variations of dialects are several. Janapadas of Soliga, Badaga and other tribes of Karnataka having rich contribution to Kannada literature have their own style.

Various districts of Kannada have mixed variations of dialects like Dharwad Kannada, Sankethi, Havyaka, Are Bhashe, Mysooru Kannada, Kundagannada etc., based on place. Both Tulu and Kodava are written in modified Kannada script. Many Kannadigas have emigrated to countries like United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia and United Arab Emirates.

Kannada Empires

Main articles: History of Karnataka and Political history of medieval Karnataka

Settlement in Karnataka is found to be existent atleast from 2 million B.C as explored in Brahmagiri archaeological site near Chitradurga,central Karnataka.

Sala fighting the tiger, the symbol of Hoysala Empire

Kannadigas have built powerful empires and kingdoms with Kannada as the official language. The language was once popular from Kaveri to Godavari as mentioned in Kavirajamarga of 850 CE. [2] Archeological evidences prove Kannada inscriptions found as far north as Madhya Pradesh (Inscription of Krishna III).[3] The great Karnataka Expansion provides insights to various kingdoms of northern India whose originators were from Kannada country . The major empires and kingdoms, their regal capital and most distinguished kings are

Minor dynasties that have played an important role in the development of Kannada language, culture and polity were, Chutus of Banavasi (feudatory to Satavahana Empire),[4][5] Tuluva Dynasty of Canara, [6] Rattas of Saundatti (Belgaum),[6] Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region),[7] Banas of Kolar,[8] Nolambas of Nolambavadi,[9][10] Vaidumbas,[11][12] Chengalvas,[6] Kongalvas,[6] Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province), Yalahanka Nadaprabhu,[13] Sindas of Yelburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga),[7] Kadambas of Hangal.[14]

In addition, other well known kingdoms that patronized Kannadiga poets and Kannada language were,

File:Rani-Chennamma.jpg
Kittur Rani Chennamma-Valour personified.Queen of Kittur, whose refusal of Kappa(tax) to British is the famous first retaliation against Colonial rule in India

Other brave warriors include

Immigrants from Karnataka

In addition to those empires that ruled from the Karnataka region, based on inscriptions and literary evidence historians have discussed the possibility that kingdoms of Kannada origin were established in other parts of India as well. The Karnatak Kshatriyas of Bihar, [18][19] the Chalukyas of Gujarat,[20][21] the Chalukyas of Vengi (Eastern Chalukya), [22][20][23] the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri,[24][25][26][27] the Rashtrakuta family ruling from Berar (modern Amravati district, Maharashtra),[28] the Rashtrakutas branch of Gujarat (Lata branch),[29][30] the Sena Dynasty of Bengal, the Chindaka Nagas of Central India and the Gangas of Kalinga, were all kingdoms created by immigrants from the Karnataka region.[19].

Kannada Art

Main articles: Folk arts of Karnataka and Art and culture of Karnataka

Sculpture

Main article: Temples of Karnataka
Channakeshava Temple at Beluru

Sculpture has been the epitome of art in Karnataka. Be it the musical pillars of Hampe, the ekashila (monolithic) statue of Bahubali , the well crafted ELu Suttina Kotey of Chitradurga (The Fort of seven lappings) cutting across hill or be it the wholesomeness of carvings of temples which bared down all desires to be left out of it and formless (above all forms) all encompassing - the inner garbhagrihas. The temples of Karnataka had in them many shaili or varieties to credit. The majestic genius of sculptors can be seen in minute details of these structures. Majority of the temples were built using the locally available stones.

Places of interest are

Pioneer sculptors include

Modern day contemporaries include visionary architects

Sangeetha (Music)

See also: Musicians of Mysore kingdom

One of the oldest forms of music Karnataka Shastreeya Sangeetha which evolved over ages has been the cultural peak of Kannadiga creativity. Purandara Dasa is regarded as Karnataka Sangeetha Pithamaha or the Father of Karnataka Sangeetha. Yakshagana is a unique and indigenous form of music and dance of Karnataka. Almost all Kingdoms have seen musical glory throughout.

Both Hindustani and Karnataka variations are respected and nurtured in Karnataka. Bhavageete and Sugama Sangeetha are some innovations. The music has a very useful innovation in Karnataka which provides a beautiful balancing act between the lyrics and the music provided with the wordings and pallavi being important parts known as Gamaka. Every letter/swara denotes a music form and how it's sung with a music enhances its artistic impression on the audience. Other forms of music include Joogera Pada and Lavani.

File:Purandara.jpg
Purandara Dasa, popularly known as Pitamaha/Father of Karnataka Sangeetha

Contemporary musical thespians are

Theatre

Rangabhoomi or the theatre culture is a timeless tradition with Kannadigas. While lots of the literature or gadya are written in praise of the heroic characters of the epics and puranas there are major works depicting the Kings and their power. These are called Nataka-plays having wide ranging stages for performance like Rangamancha -staged in theatres or Beedhinataka -staged on roads or Bayalata which is one of oldest and performed open-theatre.

Hari-kathe which cover entire night is another form where one (or more) person tells a story in an outstanding manner accompanied by music at background. Its a common feature to narrate battles, stories, devotions, pratha or vratha in front of temples on auspicious days.

Some famous Theatrical, Cinematic, Television personalities like Gubbi Veeranna,G V Iyer ,Rajkumar ,V. Shantaram ,Puttanna Kanagal ,Kalpana ,Sri Ranga ,B V Karanth ,Girish Kasaravalli ,Girish Karnad ,Guru Dutt, Shankar Nag ,T N Seetharam have contributed for this richness.

Bengalooru Habba -festival of Bengalooru - a congregation of art performances at different places of the city has been initiated recently and is very successfully celebrated every year.Vasanta Habba - spring festival is a popular one too. In 2006 government of Karnataka tried to bring the folk lore and art into the city blues of Bangalore by initiating Jaanapada Jatre which was hugely successful and received well by art lovers is held on weekends in Lalbagh and other parts of the city.

Dance Forms

Yakshagana artist
Main article: Dances of karnataka

The heroic, mystic, fierce, spirited reliving of various legends of epics are the major depictions and the theatre of battle scenes of heroism, loyalty and treachery, colour and pageantry are the main subjects. More adapted with the course of nature and seasons adding colour to the harvesting seasons make dances of Karnataka an unparalleled Jaanapada kale or Common People's art. Some of the folk dances and classical dance forms include


The tribal forms of dance can also be found limitedly in the regions inhabited by Soligas and forests of Kodagu and Western Ghats.

Some socially harmful practices like devadasi had encroached the land which was imitating the courtesan artist performing in King's court of older times, but was demeaning the life the artist in the contemporary society wasn't allowed extensively to grow. Now the government of Karnataka is taking measures to curb it which prevails in parts bordering Maharashtra.

Kalaa Kshetras (The abode of Art)

are some of the favourite places of art lovers in Karnataka and have produced some of the finest artists.

Martial Arts

The martial arts more prevalent in parts of North Karnataka with Garadi Mane present in every village and a head to train the youngsters into fit individuals. Kusthi , Malla Yuddha ,Kaththi Varase (which can be seen depicted in Veeragase), Malla Kambha (gymnastics on a pole structure with/without rope) are some of the prominent arts practised.

The Mysore Odeyars arrange kaalaga or fights like Vajra Mushti during Dasara festival which is made less frightening these days as they are publicly staged. Rock lifting, Bull race, Kusthi , Kabaddi, are popular sports.

Yogasana, Praanayama and health related camps are very popular throughout the state and some of the best Yoga practitioners can be found here. Art of Living is one such organization immensely popular all over the world.

Habba (Festivals)

There is no limit for festivals to celebrate. They occur throughout the year presenting the diverse culture and belief of the ethnicity. Festivals have varied reasons to celebrate.

  • Agriculture : Upon Onset of Monsoon or Sowing or Harvest there are festivals celebrated like Chaandramana Ugaadi(marking new year), Makara Sankranthi and Huttari.
  • Monsoon : Dasara/Navarathri.
  • Puraana : Maha Shivarathri, Varamahalakshmi Vratha, Bheemana Amavasye, Swarna Gowri Vratha , Ganesha Chaturthi, Naagara Panchami, Ratha Sapthami, Krishna Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Vijaya Dashami, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Naraka Chaturdashi, Bali Padyami and the list goes on and on.

In countryside there will be convenient dana (cattlehood - the most sacred friend of agriculturists) gala jaatre with conglomeration of people with a local demigod worshipped and a ratha or theru moved by the Bhakthas and arranged Daasoha.

North Karnataka has a unique blend of Hindu and Muslim brotherhood with people celebrating festivals in unison and exchanging goodwills thanks to great revolutionary Guru Govinda Bhatta and Shishunala Shareefa who had displayed their religious tolerance and spiritual unity of all religions.

Christmas is celebrated at large in Bengalooru and Mangalooru which host some of the oldest churches and educational institutions of the country.

Buddha, Mahaveera, Shankara, Basava, Gandhi are remembered on their birth anniversaries.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Karnataka

Jawali (Costumes)

Male costumes mainly include Panchey (often tied as Kachche) or Lungi(wearing/wrapping of which depends on the region) and a shirt. Many use Khadi in their clothing till date of which politicians are prominent ones. Kodava have a unique set of costumes showing valour and bravery. After the era of Kingdoms the crowns available mainly were Mysuru Peta and Dharwad Peta. Shawls are also commonplace worn in cooler seasons. Shalya is a piece of long cloth which is put on shoulder commonly seen in countryside. Karnataka also has the only village in India which produces authentic national flags .

Female costumes mainly include Seerey of which Ilakal Seerey and Mysore Silk(Government owned) are famous. Even it has different variations of draping depending on regions like Kodagu , North and South Karnataka and Karavali. Gold is the most popular metal for use in jewellery.

Kasuti is a form of embroidery work which is very popularly sought after art on dress and costumes.

Saahithya (Literature)

Main article: Kannada literature
Main article: Karnataka literature

Kannada literature is filled with literary figures and pioneers all through.

Pampa says :

ಆರಂಕುಶಮಿಟ್ಟೊಡಂ ನೆನೆವುದೆನ್ನ ಮನಂ ಬನವಾಸಿ ದೇಶಮಂ (Aar-ankusha-mittodam nenevu-denna-manam Banavaasi desha mum)

transliterated as - No matter who tries to stop me, my mind will always think of my country Banavaasi. (Ankusha = sabotage; literally, it’s a sharp knife-like thing they use to control an elephant which has gone haywire).

Pampa, Ranna and Ponna are considered as three jewels of Halegannada. Janna was another notable poet of this genre.

Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi, Allama Prabhu, Madhvacharya, Vidyaranya, Harihara, Raghavanka,Kumara Vyasa, Sarvajna, Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa ,Shishunala Shareefa ,Raghavendra Swami etc were pioneers of Nadugannada. All these have been inviolved with social and cultural movements and hence this was the golden era of literature which brought about a renaissance in Kannada literature . They all had a characteristic naamankita - insignia - which would denote a power equalling a God in popular comparison. The literature saw the Vachana -said, Tattva -thatness, Sharana -saviour (of God), and Dasa -slave (to God) padas (short poetries) - reach the common man's ignorance into great depths leading to Siddhanta- philosophies.

Kuvempu says :

ಓ ನನ್ನ ಚೇತನ ಆಗು ನೀ ಅನಿಕೇತನ (O nanna Chetana Aagu nee Aniketana)

transliterated as O my spirit/consciousness, thou transcending all boundaries shalth render thyself homeless.

Kuvempu, D. V. Gundappa, Da Ra Bendre, B. M. Srikantaiah, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, Shivaram Karanth, V K Gokak, U R Ananthamurthy, P. Lankesh, Girish Karnad, G S Shivarudrappa,Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar, Pu thi Narasimhachar, Chennavira Kanavi, Gopalakrishna Adiga, TaRaSu, A N Krishna Rao, Govinda Pai, S.L. Bhyrappa, Poornachandra Tejaswi, Thriveni, K. S. Nissar Ahmed, K.S. Narasimhaswamy,Chandrashekhara Kambara, Siddhaiah Puranik, G P Rajarathnam ,T P Kailasam ,Anupama Niranjana, M. K. Indira ,Dodda Rangegowda etc are popular literary figures. This period was amalgamation of literature works which crossed across boundaries under a vast roof encompassed by art and theatre fields. The literature works of Kannada in Navodaya is crowned with 7 Jnanpith awards. Kannada Thantramsha or software is developed under Kuvempu university. There is also a sizeable Open-source community in Bengalooru.

Some of the contemporary active institutions of Kannada literature are


Fallacy of Aryan Dravidian theory

This is one of the major subject of recent centuries which had far reaching effects dictating the people in almost all spheres in public interaction.

Kannadigaru do not classify themselves into any of the Aryan Dravidian divisions but would be classified according to the geography which is diverse in India.

Although spread world wide the rich literature provides deep insights to invasion theories (which was never a dream fashion of any Kannada empire above forming a welfare state) more accurately than being shaded by travelling writers who would be overwhelmed and notoriously obsessive to the hospitality of rulers. This tendency of literature which was able to malign the aristocratic, feudal and bougeoisieis as they were able to uplift the slavish disorder, defeated the well known notion of history as being written by the victorious; the continuum has reached navya today.

From time to time strong literary and associated political movements register the idea of classless, egalitarian society which would assume a class structure only when there is a need of division of labour. Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata were strongly grilled by the litterateurs and instances of calling Duryodhana as Suyodhana, Ravana as a great Brahman and Rama's conviction or dharma towards society based on a weak accusation rather than towards his own family or sahadharma which forms the basic unit of society etc never died down as a mere radical content but were widely accepted and debated due to which timely revolutions seeking truth and not feeble literature and in a way evolution of infalliable Samkruti took place.

It should be noted that there were no prominent Aryan who was a ruler in Karnataka although persian Shia Adilshahi ruled small province of Bijapur for a century but can be seen that they themselves were opposed by Mughals of the North which can be seen incase of Chand Bibi. The later parts were full of tensions and betrayal arising due to culmination of differences of Nizams , Marathas and Mughals.

Also to be noted is nowhere in literature is the term pancha Davida or Shudra used to represent the five states of India except in Manu smrithi as said in classfull epic Mahabharata and is purely a bourgeoisie tactic derived from aristocracy to introduce can be easily seen. Also to be seen is the name Bharath given to just gather the unwillingness of masses which never called whole of India by a single name at all until Mughals who tried as Hindustan and then unsuccessfully with Hindi as a mixture of Urdu and bit of known sanskrit, and then to convert it as India. Today Hindi remains a cult only in central institutions and a commercial movie industry called Bollywood. Though Bharatha was considered in Karnataka , the evolving indigenous literature still remained powerful , the culmination of sanathana, jaina, bouddha and sufi viewpoints retained without modifications and preserved the remnant of which is crowned with most Jnanapeethas.

It is essential to know origin of a newly formed language's terms when examining a term as complex , scientific and mystical as the word race.[[1]]. It is very obvious that on an average most of Indians who haven't migrated even if converted, show wheatish to golden complexion.

The other discovery is the modification of deeply rooted sentiments into a state of myth and mystics and of relating literature into realities were infamous works of Monier Williams, McCaulay and a band of other deeply convicted soldiers of colonization and the bougeoisie who were instrumental in using the already deeply divided nation into a slavic nation which still can be seen when incidences of evangelism and even a uprising strong middle class being lured into outsourcing under the name of software globalization not only making a deep divide financially ,but in terms of productivity of other resources between urban and rural segments even causing brain drain. The syllabus of education written and rewritten in every part of the country shows the inadequacy of single McCaulay's system or a language for a billion population which it doesn't understand. It can only be observed that a few half baked interests at the centre are figthing hard for the system (of self interest and incapacity) which can be beleived as partially existed with a limited population at time of Ashoka.

The invasion of English to such an extent to even signboards of rural segments have not only made the classical languages on the verge of extinction but also profess a alienness among the indigenous people ,developing the ignorance (since the Indian English itself was childish) and muting down under it is indeed the common global phenomenon found allover rural India which also suffers from urban migration and lack of agrarian facilities nutrition and health than education. In recent decades with the advent of journalism of English newspapers largely due to this phenomenon, atleast on publications, the rural India is subdued to state of mockery nothing more than a bunch of lazy goons and wild practices -like Jalli Kattu of Tamils (notoriously subjective at times deviating towards colonial era) which cannot be generalized , knowingly neglecting the effect of agriculture on self sustenance and GDP.

Dravidian term was made popular as seen above for the cause of working class which gained momentum due to Tamil acceptance of communist ideology and needing an identity ( which can be seen as DMK leader naming his son as Stalin ) apart from North India to start political number game. . It can hence be seen the game of alternate governments of Anna DMK and DMK in elections protecting the proletariat class. Hence the theory of Aryan and Dravidan is a total fallacy which is only built up in order to claim a working class out of South India of which Tamils were the most affected although earning them a classical status.

Main article: List of people from Karnataka

Spiritual Leaders

Some of the greatest serving spiritual leaders include

Gandhian Philosophers

Modern Science and Technology

Some of the distinguished scientists are

Some indigenous technological advances include

  • Nudi - meaning Spoken Word in Kannada.
  • Baraha - meaning Written Inscription in Kannada.
  • Simputer - A simple computer.

Environmentalists

Karnataka is one of the few states which even being leading contributor for GDP of the country[34] and home for industries, has preserved its forests and wildlife. The evergreen Sahyadri and Western Ghats are home to protected Wildlife of Karnataka. The Kannadiga culture protects and balances Kaadu and Naadu as can be seen . Even with lucrative Iron ore mining(Kudremukh) and gold fields(KGF) people have come strongly at times to preserve this culture as the industrialization has failed even to provide the basic amenities like electricity to villages and has remained under hands of corrupt capitalists. Although seen scantly still the state enjoys the diversity owing to tribal sects of Soliga, Badaga ,Jenu Kuruba ,Hakki Pikki, Lambani and other inhabitants of forests. Some noted environmentalists include

Academicians

An academician for definition's sake here, is a person who has been serving extensively in the field of education (at all levels of maturity) in Karnataka, or is a Kannadiga by nature, and has contributed effectively to education/academic development of any people outside of Karnataka, but can be considered as a good standing reference to building a good academic system in Karnataka, for Kannadigas. Some of the important academicians are:

  • Late H N - a well revered teacher of old times
  • K V Narayan - A language expert, and academician too

The Kannadiga Culture

Purana

The Puranas describe the region as Kishkindha in the ages of Ramayana. There are also literary evidences for the region of Mysore called as Mahisha Mandala after demon named Mahishasura. Parashurama and Hanumantha are some epic characters to be cited relating to place.

Punya Koti

One of the most prominently popular and acknowledged Jaanapada song is Dharani mandala madhyadolage which narrates an incidence between mother cow and an aggressive tiger in a country called Karnata.

Vishwa Maanava

Karnataka as now can be viewed as a multi cultural state with almost all the religions that can be found in India can be found here and there has been lot emigration as well due to which multi-ethnic diaspora can be seen . As the Kingdoms provided a safe centres for development of all cultures we can see a huge diversities from region to region. Even the language and dialects varies from place to place. The language has evolved distinctly in both the backyard(folk/basic/prakrutha) and frontyard (refined and related to Samskrutha/Sankrit) of the culture. It can be said that the major works of Sanskrit have originated and continues to evolve here. Shringeri, Udupi are some of nerve centres. One of the leading examples include a village near Shivamogga where people speak only Sanskrit till date. Bengaluru has almost all language speakers of India.

Tha aikya linga of Basavanna - the ab-initio of social spiritual reformation and a known vachanakaara, at Kudalasangama

One of the most acknowledged concept is to be a Vishwa Maanava or universal being. In Kuvempu's ideology this has a renowned explanation Every Child is born as a Vishwa Maanava or a Universal Human . It is the we who make him Alpa Maanava or Little Human by putting various constrictions of borders rituals and castes. It hence becomes responsibility of our culture to again make him a Universal Being unbound and free. The Kannadiga culture is known to provide shelter and self respect to people by owning them and their culture. Two Tibetan colonies for refugees from Tibet are formed, one near Mundgod and one near Kushalanagara for protecting them from Chinese atrocities. Karnataka has also sheltered flood victims of North Eastern India like Assam and provided them jobs. One of the easily seen diversity is the surnames which vary from hugely like some may involve names involving a Hindu and Muslim name or having a Hindu Christian name (more found in Mangalore) or even a Muslim Christian name. Hindu is normally considered a misnomer for Sanathana.

Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra are the only two states which have diversity of including both Malenadu Nithyaharidwarna -evergreen ghats and Bayaluseeme which have different ways of living in the same state. Not only this but it acts as a gateway to North and South Indian cultures. It may come as a surprise that Karnataka is next only to Rajasthan in India when it comes to area under arid land but still Southern Karnataka is referred to as Gandhada Gudi - temple of sandalwood found in its protected forests.

Political sphere

After the Odeyar era who already had established democracy by naming elected representative called Saamantha in southern regions as early as 1800s , the 1947 partition brought a centre into being under democracy and Karnataka accepted a bicameral legislature. But this was a functionally a failure as there always has been a tug of war from centre and states to an extent that from 1990s to 2010 there have always been different political parties operating at centre and state. North Karnataka had other problems of getting independence more from Nizams. So there were two different spheres. Lack of will and coordination and constant fights have been hallmark of politics which has prevented a regional party/media from arising in the land. Kerala being a neighbour where hugely successful communist ideology in bringing up literacy levels has also a backing here and a few naxalite outfits do function in Karnataka. Also functional failure of all pillars of democracy even being upper riparian state can be clearly seen in the Kaveri River Water Dispute issue. The failure extended to bureaucracy and Karnataka reached the position of being fourth most corrupt state of India[35] due to political and bureaucratic lobby due to which Lokayukta (see N. Venkatachala) was formed but could not get the required powers to deal with the powerful. It is further fuelled by government employing people from other states in Karnataka - a common feature which will be seen in next section. In the field of press and journalism P. Lankesh and S. Gurumurthy[36] are some of the noted ones famous for their leftist affiliations.

The Dravidian leader and social reformer Periyar, is a third generation Kannada emigrant from Mysore. Periyar E. V. Ramasamy single handedly changed the essence of Tamil Nadu and Indian politics to a very great extent. He also used to declare proudly of his Kannada ancestry. The present Tamil Nadu polity is descended from Periyar and his movement.[citation needed].He is quoted as saying "Many people say I am not a Tamilian myself. They are saying this because my mother tongue is Kannada. Many think that I am a Telugu - Naidu. I am a Kannadiga of the Kannada Balijawar caste."[37]

M. P. Veerendra Kumar , a similar Kannadiga in Kerala is a multi faceted personality having a prominent hand in making Mathrubhumi a leading Malayalam journal, besides being an active politician and a noted new genre Malayalam Litterateur.

Horanadu Kannadiga

The failure in political arena has also reflected in the cultural isolation of emigrants. Some of the unsuccessfully functional bodies include Dehali Kannadiga and AKKA (American Kannada Koota Association) who try being culturally involved.

Kannada Kannadiga Karnataka

Main article: Unification of Karnataka
Main article: History of Karnataka

The essence of the term Kannadiga is quite interesting. During the period of British rule, state of Karnataka as it stands today did not exist. Areas that today comprise Karnataka were under as many as 20 different administrative units with the princely state of Mysore, Nizam's Hyderabad, the Bombay Presidency, the Madras Presidency and the territory of Kodagu being the most important ones. In effect, nearly two-thirds of what is now Karnataka fell outside the rule of the Wodeyar kings of Mysore. In addition the proposed state had 6 neighbours Goa , Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh ,Tamil Nadu ,Kerala and Lakshadweep and all had Kannadigas in them.

What this meant for the Kannadigas in these regions was that they were reduced to linguistic minorities wherever they were. Kannadigas in the Hubli-Karnataka region for example, came under the rule of the Bombay Presidency where Marathi was the official language. Those in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region came under the Nizam's rule where Urdu ruled. Kannadigas in Dakshina Kannada came under the rule from Madras Presidency which used Tamil for all purposes.

Under these conditions, a feeling of discontent had started brewing among Kannadigas outside Mysore. They felt that their interests and their language was being mortgaged to the interests of the higher ups.

It was in this backdrop that the movement that first started as a protest against linguistic oppression, soon morphed into one that began demanding a separate state be created consolidating all Kannada speaking regions. This was essentially a movement that was spearheaded by the poets, journalists and writers and was called the Ekikarana or 'Unification' movement. India gained independence in 1947. The joy of independence soon gave way to disappointment as the new government started dragging its feet on Karnataka Ekikarana movement. Kannada speaking areas now got grouped under five administrative units of the Bombay and Madras provinces, Kodagu, and the princely states of Mysore and Hyderabad. The Akhila Karnataka Ekikarana Parishat met in Kasargod and reiterated the demand for a separate state for Kannadigas. The ratification in parliament of the recommendations of the Fazal Ali Committee brought unbounded joy to the entire Kannadiga population that now was merged under the state of Mysore. Along with all the joy, came the acute disappointment at the non inclusion of certain parts in the Mysore state. The biggest disappointment lay in the non inclusion of Kasargod in the newly formed state. The irony also lay in the fact that Kasargod was one of the bastions from which the Ekikarana movement had launched its agitation. This is an issue that continues to rankle those who fought for the unification of Karnataka. Some like literary giant and nonagenarian Kayyara Kiyyanna Rai who was part of the movement since its earliest days still continues to fight for Kasargod's merger with Karnataka albeit peacefully. Belgaum border dispute is another controversial issue which has led to huge turmoil in border of Karnataka and Maharashtra. On 1 November 1973, under Devaraj Urs as Chief Minister, Mysore state was renamed as Karnataka since it was felt that Karnataka was more 'inclusive' of all the other regions of Karnataka than the name Mysore.

Some of the active Kannada pro organisations include

Some of the contemporary issues for which every Kanndiga is fighting today are Nanjundappa- (Chairman of Committee for Redressal of Regional imbalances) Report [38] is still pending to be implemented. Sarojini Mahishi Report[39] which mandated jobs for Kannadigas in centre was not important for the centre. The much disputed Kaveri River water sharing issue Kaveri River Water Dispute is a grave injustice done from even the Supreme Court which asked to release water from IO report( highly unscientific asking water for 10 years[40] when people are getting scant water in upper riparian state- rightfully thrashed down by Karnataka). Also the Union Government adopted delaying tactics in according the similar classical status to Kannada due to DMK lobby against it. A Tamil fanatic also awarded doctorate by Karnataka Open University, Kulandaiswamy known as scientist in Tamil Nadu has vowed to make Tamil at the top of every hierarchy engrossing all languages under Dravidian and naming them to have descended from Tamil.[41] shows the hold Tamils have in all the walks of Indian democracy. Due to this backstabbing hostility the old Mysuru region (which borders hostile state in a way betrayed by rule of Odeyars by signing treaties and retaining them giving Tamil lobby an upper hand) is the most victimised and has become the most backward in the state( the Chamarajnagar and Gundlupet region[42]) which once held the crown of being princely state due to the backwardness in agriculture and irrigation.

Kannada ethnic flag

The Kannada ethnic flag is a banner with two horizontal stripes, yellow on top and red on the bottom [43]. The flag although neither officially declared nor represents any legendary empire but something which is accepted in recent times unofficially representing a symbol of welfare as ಅರಿಶಿಣ and ಕುಂಕುಮ.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Top 30 Languages by Number of Native Speakers: sourced from Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 15th ed. (2005)". Vistawide - World Languages & Cultures. Retrieved 2007-05-21.
  2. ^ Sastri (1955), pp355-356
  3. ^ Kamath (2001), p84, p90
  4. ^ Moraes (1931), p4
  5. ^ Purava HaleGannada or Pre-old Kannada was the language of Banavasi in the early Christian era, the Satavahana and Kadamba eras (Wilks in Rice, B.L. (1897), p490
  6. ^ a b c d Narasimhacharya (1988), p68
  7. ^ a b Cousens (1996), p15
  8. ^ Mahalingam in Adiga (2006), p130
  9. ^ Adiga (2006), p134
  10. ^ Their territory included modern Tumkur, Chitradurga, Kolar, Bellary and Bangalore districts - Chopra et al. (2003), part1, p163
  11. ^ Adiga (2006), p142
  12. ^ They were an Andhra dynasty who ruled over Kurnool, Cuddappah in the 10th century. There inscriptions are in Telugu and Kannada - Chopra et al. (2003), part1, p163
  13. ^ Also known as the Kempegowda family, builders of modern Bangalore-Kamath (2001), p240-241
  14. ^ Two coins of the Hangal Kadambas exist, one with the Kannada inscription Saarvadhari and other with Nakara. They are preserved in the Royal Asiatic Society and Indian Historical Research Institute, Mumbai - Moraes (1931), p385
  15. ^ a b c Narasimhacharya (1988), p68
  16. ^ Kamath (2001), p143-144
  17. ^ The coins of the Kadambas of Goa are unique in that they have alternate inscription of the king's name in Kannada and Devanagari in triplicate. This shows that the native vernacular of the Goa Kadambas was Kannada - Moraes (1931), p384
  18. ^ Thapar (2003), p433
  19. ^ a b Kamath (2001), p8
  20. ^ a b Altekar in Kamath (2001), p73
  21. ^ Altekar 1934, p21–22
  22. ^ Keay (2000), p170
  23. ^ The Eastern Chalukyas were originally of Kannada stock who later encouraged Telugu—Dr. K.S.S. Seshan, University of Hyderabad. "APOnline-History of Andhra Pradesh-ancient period-Eastern Chalukyas". Revenue Department (Gazetteers), Government of Andhra Pradesh. Tata Consultancy Services. Retrieved 2006-11-12. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 21 (help)
  24. ^ Shrinivas Ritti and A.V. Narasimha Murthy in Kamath 2001, p137
  25. ^ Seuna coins carry Kannada legends from the beginning of their rule (O.P. Varma in Kamath 2001, p137)
  26. ^ Masica, Colin P. (1991). "Subsequent Spread of Indo-Aryan". The Indo-Aryan Languages. Cambridge University Press. p. 45. ISBN 0521299446. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Majority of the Seuna inscriptions are in Kannada and during the formation of the kingdom, the Nasik-Ahamadnagar region (Seuna Desa) was a Kannada territory (Kamath 2001, p137)
  28. ^ A Kannada dynasty may have been created in Berar under the rule of Badami Chalukyas (Altekar 1934, p21–22)
  29. ^ The Gujarat Rashtrakutas signed even their Sanskrit records in Kannada because that was the language of the place of their origin (D.R. Bhandarkar in Kamath 2001, p73)
  30. ^ The Gujarat Rashtrakutas would not have signed their inscriptions in Kannada language in far away Gujarat unless they were Kannadigas (Altekar 1934, pp21–22 )
  31. ^ http://raghudixit.com
  32. ^ The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Government establishes Beary Academy
  33. ^ Science centres planned at taluk and district levels
  34. ^ GDP contribution
  35. ^ Bureaucratic Corruption
  36. ^ S Gurumurthy of The New Indian Express
  37. ^ Periyar E.V.R's speeches, Dravidar Kazhakam publication, 1990, Chennai
  38. ^ Nanjundappa Report
  39. ^ Sarojini Mahishi
  40. ^ Kaveri Dispute
  41. ^ Tamil Hosility
  42. ^ Backwardness
  43. ^ Kannada ethnic flag:

References

  • John Keay, History of India, 2000, Grove publications, New York, ISBN 0-8021-3797-0
  • Suryanath U. Kamat, A Concise history of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, MCC, Bangalore, 2001 (Reprinted 2002) OCLC: 7796041
  • Dr. Romila Thapar, The Penguin History of Early India, From Origin to 1300 AD., 2003, Penguin, New Delhi, ISBN 0-14-302989-4
  • Altekar, Anant Sadashiv (1934), The Rashtrakutas And Their Times; being a political, administrative, religious, social, economic and literary history of the Deccan during C. 750 AD to C. 1000 A.D, Oriental Book Agency, Poona, OCLC 3793499
  • K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, History of South India, From Prehistoric times to fall of Vijayanagar, 1955, OUP, New Delhi (Reprinted 2002), ISBN 019560686-8
  • R. Narasimhacharya, History of Kannada Literature, 1988, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, Madras,1988 ISBN 81-206-0303-6.
  • Malini Adiga (2006), The Making of Southern Karnataka: Society, Polity and Culture in the early medieval period, AD 400-1030, Orient Longman, Chennai, ISBN 81 250 2912 5
  • George M. Moraes (1931), The Kadamba Kula, A History of Ancient and Medieval Karnataka, Asian Educational Services, New Delhi, Madras, 1990 ISBN 81-206-0595-0
  • Rice, B.L. [1897] (2001). Mysore Gazatteer Compiled for Government-vol 1. New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-0977-8.
  • Chopra P.N., Ravindran T.K., Subrahmanian N. (2003), History of South India (Ancient, Medieval and Modern), Chand publications, New Delhi ISBN 81-219-0153-7
  • Cousens, Henry, (1926), The Chalukyan Architecture of Kanarese Distrcits, Archeological Survey of India, New Delhi, OCLC 37526233
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