Harihara (or Harisvara) (Kannada: ಹರಿಹರ) was a noted Kannada poet and writer in the 12th century. A native of Halebidu in modern Hassan district, he came from a family of accountants (Karnikas)[1] and initially served in that capacity in the court of Hoysala King Narasimha I (r.1152–1173 CE).[2] Later, he moved to Hampi and authored many landmark classics. Among his important writings, the Girijakalyana written in champu metre (mixed prose-verse) is considered one of the enduring classics of Kannada language.[3]
Noted Kannada poets and writers in the Seuna Yadava Kingdom
Kamalabhava
1180
Achanna
1198
Amugideva
1220
Chaundarasa
1300
Magnum opus
Harihara, although one of the earliest Veerashaiva writers, was not part of the famous Vachana literary tradition. He wrote under the patronage of King Narasimha I. He wrote his magnum opus, the Girijakalyana ("Marriage of the mountain born Goddess") in the Kalidasa tradition, though employing the old Jainchampu style, with the story leading to the marriage of God Shiva and his consort Parvati in ten sections.[1][4] Harihara brings out his ability for narration while describing the lamentation of Rati for Kama, and the intense love and devotion of Parvati for Shiva.[5][6]
Though known for his magnum opus, his poetic talent found complete expression in his lyrical and narrative ragale poems. It was Harihara who popularised the ragale (couplets in blank verse), a metre native to Kannada language.[7] In a deviation from the norm of the day, Harihara avoided glorifying famous mortals and continued the Jain tradition of "glorifying the spirit" and the "conquest of evil within oneself".[8] So against eulogising earthly mortals was Harihara, legend has it that he physically abused his protégé Raghavanka for writing about King Harishchandra in the work Harishchandra Kavya (c. 1200).[9]
Other poetic works
Shivaganada ragale Harihara is credited with a collection of more than one hundred poems in the ragale metre called the Nambiyanana ragale (also called Shivaganada ragale or Saranacharitamanasa–"The holy lake of the lives of the devotees", c. 1160) after the saint Nambiyana. In this writing, which is a eulogy of the 63 saints of early Shaivism (devotion to God Shiva), of the later social reformers such as Basavanna, Allama Prabhu and Akka Mahadevi, and of God Virupaksha (a form of Hindu god Shiva), Harihara express emotions as few poets could. Referenced in this writing is the Tamil epic Periyapuranam.[1][10][11]
Basavarajadevara ragale Another important writing (though partially available), in the ragale metre is the Basavarajadevara ragale. It is on the life of Basavanna emphasizing the protagonist's compassion for devotees of the god Shiva. This work is the earliest biography of Basavanna from which 13 out of 25 sections are available and are considered important because the author was a near contemporary of his protagonist and set the trend for future biographers. Harihara thus became the earliest poetic biographer in the Kannada language.[12] Interesting details of Basavanna's life are narrated by Harihara, some of which contradict commonly held beliefs. The author, who does not appear to be personally acquainted with his protagonist, mixed facts with some mythological details. While popular theory holds that Basavanna left his native place over a difference of opinion with his father regarding the brahminical initiation ritual (the "sacred thread ceremony"), Harihara's account states Basavanna lost his parents early in life and was cared for by his grandmother. Later he discarded his thread and left for Sangama, indicating he was already initiated.[13] Regarding Basavanna's employment under King Bijjala II, while popular theory holds that Basavanna succeeded his deceased maternal uncle (whose daughter he was married to) as the treasurer of the king, according to Harihara, Basavanna's introduction to the king was made by the incumbent treasurer Sidhdandadhisa, whom he later succeeded to the post.[13]
Mudigeya Ashtaka
Mudigeya ashtaka (1200) is an important ashtaka poem (an eight line verse metre) by Harihara. Legend has it that once when Harihara bowed down in prayer to his God (Shiva), the "Rudraksha" flowers in his headgear (a mudige) fell on the floor. Seeing this, the devotees who had gathered there derided Harihara for wearing the headgear. In response, Harihara composed the ashtaka extempore in honor of his deity and included a challenging phrase "I have laid the mudige on the floor, let me see who can pick it up".[14]
Other writings
Harihara's other works include Pushpa ragale, Marichanana ragale and Pampa sataka (written in the shataka metre comprising a string of 100 verses), in praise of the god Virupaksha of Hampi.[1][2][10] For his poetic talent, he has earned the honorific "poet of exuberance" (utsava kavi).[8]
Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179.
Nagaraj, D.R. (2003) [2003]. "Critical Tensions in the History of Kannada Literary Culture". In Sheldon I. Pollock (ed.). Literary Cultures in History: Reconstructions from South Asia. Berkeley and London: University of California Press. pp. 323–383. ISBN0-520-22821-9.
Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1934]. History of Kannada Literature. Mysore: Government Press. Reprinted by Asian Educational Services, New Delhi. ISBN81-206-0303-6.
Rice, E.P. (1982) [1921]. A History of Kanarese Literature. New Delhi: Asian Educational Services. ISBN81-206-0063-0.
Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta (2002) [1955]. A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar. New Delhi: Indian Branch, Oxford University Press. ISBN0-19-560686-8.
Shiva Prakash, H.S. (1997). "Kannada". In Ayyappapanicker (ed.). Medieval Indian Literature:An Anthology. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN81-260-0365-0.
Various (1987) [1987]. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature – vol 1. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN81-260-1803-8.
Various (1988) [1988]. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature – vol 2. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN81-260-1194-7.
Various (1992) [1996]. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature – vol 5. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN81-260-1221-8.
January 07, 2023
harihara, poet, harihara, harisvara, kannada, ಹರ, ಹರ, noted, kannada, poet, writer, 12th, century, native, halebidu, modern, hassan, district, came, from, family, accountants, karnikas, initially, served, that, capacity, court, hoysala, king, narasimha, 1152, . Harihara or Harisvara Kannada ಹರ ಹರ was a noted Kannada poet and writer in the 12th century A native of Halebidu in modern Hassan district he came from a family of accountants Karnikas 1 and initially served in that capacity in the court of Hoysala King Narasimha I r 1152 1173 CE 2 Later he moved to Hampi and authored many landmark classics Among his important writings the Girijakalyana written in champu metre mixed prose verse is considered one of the enduring classics of Kannada language 3 HariharaBorn12th century CEHalebiduDied12th or 13th century CEOccupation s Poet WriterWorksGirija kalyanaTitleUtsava Kavi Contents 1 Famous writings 1 1 Magnum opus 1 2 Other poetic works 2 Notes 3 ReferencesFamous writings EditNoted Kannada poets and writers in Hoysala Empire 1100 1343 CE Nagachandra 1105Kanti 1108Rajaditya 12th cHarihara 1160 1200Udayaditya 1150Vritta Vilasa 1160Kereya Padmarasa 1165Nemichandra 1170Sumanobana 1175Rudrabhatta 1180Aggala 1189Palkuriki Somanatha 1195Sujanottamsa Boppana 1180Kavi Kama 12th c Devakavi 1200Raghavanka 1200 1225Bhanduvarma 1200Balachandra Kavi 1204Parsva Pandita 1205Maghanandycharya 1209Janna 1209 1230Puligere Somanatha 13th c Hastimalla 13th c Chandrama 13th c Somaraja 1222Gunavarma II 1235Polalvadandanatha 1224Andayya 1217 1235Sisumayana 1232Mallikarjuna 1245Naraharitirtha 1281Kumara Padmarasa 13th c Mahabala Kavi 1254Kesiraja 1260Kumudendu 1275Nachiraja 1300Ratta Kavi 1300Nagaraja 1331Noted Kannada poets and writers in the Seuna Yadava KingdomKamalabhava 1180Achanna 1198Amugideva 1220Chaundarasa 1300Magnum opus Edit Harihara although one of the earliest Veerashaiva writers was not part of the famous Vachana literary tradition He wrote under the patronage of King Narasimha I He wrote his magnum opus the Girijakalyana Marriage of the mountain born Goddess in the Kalidasa tradition though employing the old Jain champu style with the story leading to the marriage of God Shiva and his consort Parvati in ten sections 1 4 Harihara brings out his ability for narration while describing the lamentation of Rati for Kama and the intense love and devotion of Parvati for Shiva 5 6 Though known for his magnum opus his poetic talent found complete expression in his lyrical and narrative ragale poems It was Harihara who popularised the ragale couplets in blank verse a metre native to Kannada language 7 In a deviation from the norm of the day Harihara avoided glorifying famous mortals and continued the Jain tradition of glorifying the spirit and the conquest of evil within oneself 8 So against eulogising earthly mortals was Harihara legend has it that he physically abused his protege Raghavanka for writing about King Harishchandra in the work Harishchandra Kavya c 1200 9 Other poetic works Edit Shivaganada ragale Harihara is credited with a collection of more than one hundred poems in the ragale metre called the Nambiyanana ragale also called Shivaganada ragale or Saranacharitamanasa The holy lake of the lives of the devotees c 1160 after the saint Nambiyana In this writing which is a eulogy of the 63 saints of early Shaivism devotion to God Shiva of the later social reformers such as Basavanna Allama Prabhu and Akka Mahadevi and of God Virupaksha a form of Hindu god Shiva Harihara express emotions as few poets could Referenced in this writing is the Tamil epic Periyapuranam 1 10 11 Basavarajadevara ragale Another important writing though partially available in the ragale metre is the Basavarajadevara ragale It is on the life of Basavanna emphasizing the protagonist s compassion for devotees of the god Shiva This work is the earliest biography of Basavanna from which 13 out of 25 sections are available and are considered important because the author was a near contemporary of his protagonist and set the trend for future biographers Harihara thus became the earliest poetic biographer in the Kannada language 12 Interesting details of Basavanna s life are narrated by Harihara some of which contradict commonly held beliefs The author who does not appear to be personally acquainted with his protagonist mixed facts with some mythological details While popular theory holds that Basavanna left his native place over a difference of opinion with his father regarding the brahminical initiation ritual the sacred thread ceremony Harihara s account states Basavanna lost his parents early in life and was cared for by his grandmother Later he discarded his thread and left for Sangama indicating he was already initiated 13 Regarding Basavanna s employment under King Bijjala II while popular theory holds that Basavanna succeeded his deceased maternal uncle whose daughter he was married to as the treasurer of the king according to Harihara Basavanna s introduction to the king was made by the incumbent treasurer Sidhdandadhisa whom he later succeeded to the post 13 Mudigeya AshtakaMudigeya ashtaka 1200 is an important ashtaka poem an eight line verse metre by Harihara Legend has it that once when Harihara bowed down in prayer to his God Shiva the Rudraksha flowers in his headgear a mudige fell on the floor Seeing this the devotees who had gathered there derided Harihara for wearing the headgear In response Harihara composed the ashtaka extempore in honor of his deity and included a challenging phrase I have laid the mudige on the floor let me see who can pick it up 14 Other writingsHarihara s other works include Pushpa ragale Marichanana ragale and Pampa sataka written in the shataka metre comprising a string of 100 verses in praise of the god Virupaksha of Hampi 1 2 10 For his poetic talent he has earned the honorific poet of exuberance utsava kavi 8 Notes Edit a b c d Sastri 1955 pp 361 362 a b Kamath 2001 p 133 Narasimhacharya 1988 p 20 Narasimhacharya 1988 p 20 Shiva Prakash 1997 p 206 Nagaraj in Pollock 2003 p 362 Rice E P 1921 p 59 a b Sahitya Akademi 1988 p 1181 Nagaraj in Pollock 2003 p 364 a b Shiva Prakash 1997 p 205 Rice E P 1921 p 60 Shiva Prakash 1997 p 179 a b Sahitya Akademi 1987 p 404 Sahitya Akademi 1987 p 248References EditKamath Suryanath U 2001 1980 A concise history of Karnataka from pre historic times to the present Bangalore Jupiter books LCCN 80905179 Nagaraj D R 2003 2003 Critical Tensions in the History of Kannada Literary Culture In Sheldon I Pollock ed Literary Cultures in History Reconstructions from South Asia Berkeley and London University of California Press pp 323 383 ISBN 0 520 22821 9 Narasimhacharya R 1988 1934 History of Kannada Literature Mysore Government Press Reprinted by Asian Educational Services New Delhi ISBN 81 206 0303 6 Rice E P 1982 1921 A History of Kanarese Literature New Delhi Asian Educational Services ISBN 81 206 0063 0 Sastri K A Nilakanta 2002 1955 A history of South India from prehistoric times to the fall of Vijayanagar New Delhi Indian Branch Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 560686 8 Shiva Prakash H S 1997 Kannada In Ayyappapanicker ed Medieval Indian Literature An Anthology Sahitya Akademi ISBN 81 260 0365 0 Various 1987 1987 Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol 1 Sahitya Akademi ISBN 81 260 1803 8 Various 1988 1988 Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol 2 Sahitya Akademi ISBN 81 260 1194 7 Various 1992 1996 Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol 5 Sahitya Akademi ISBN 81 260 1221 8 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Harihara poet amp oldid 1109568627, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
