Kavirajamarga (Kannada: ಕವಿರಾಜಮಾರ್ಗ) (850 C.E.)[1] is the earliest available work on rhetoric, poetics and grammar in the Kannada language.[2][3] It was inspired by or written in part by the famous Rashtrakuta King AmoghavarshaI, and some historians claim it is based partly on the Sanskrit text Kavyadarsha. Some historians believe Kavirajamarga may have been co-authored by a poet in the king's court, the Kannada language theorist Sri Vijaya.[2][4]
A Stanza from Kavirajamarga which praises the people for their literary skills
The name literally means "Royal Path for Poets" and was written as a guide book for poets and scholars (Kavishiksha). From references made in this writing to earlier Kannada poetry and literature it is clear that a considerable body of work in prose and poetry must have existed in the preceding centuries.[5]
The pre-coronation name of Amoghavarsha I was Sharva. He was born in Sribhavan in 800 to Rashtrakuta King Govinda III during the king's return from his successful northern campaigns in Kanauj. This is known from the Manne records (803), Sirur plates and Sanjan records (871) of Amoghavarsha I.[6][7] Amoghavarsha I came to the throne in 814 at the age of 14 and took great interest in the Kannada language, culture, country and its people, and his writing Kavirajamarga goes into these details as well.[8] The work describes the entire region between the Godavari river in the north and Kaveri river in the south as "Kannada country", which includes large territories north of modern Karnataka where Kannada is now not spoken.[5] An English translation of a quote from the writing goes as follows,[9]
In all the circle of earth
No fairer land you'll find Than that were rich sweet Kannada Voices the people's mind 'Twixt sacred river twain it lies- From famed Godavari To where the pilgrim rests his eyes Only holy Kaveri... The people of that land are skilled To speak in rhythmic tone, And quick to grasp a poet's thought, So kindred to their own Not students only, but the folk untutored in the school, By instinct use and understand
The strict poetic rules.
Early writers and literary styles
Kavirajamarga makes important references not only to earlier Kannada writers and poets but also to early literary styles that were in vogue in the various written dialects of Kannada language. The aim of this writing was to standardize these written styles. The book dwells on earlier styles of composition; the Bedande, the Chattana, and the Gadyakatha, and indicates that these styles were recognised by puratana kavi (lit, "earlier poets"). The term pruvacharyar (lit, earlier grammarians or rhetoricians) has also been used.[10][11][12] The book mentions several early Kannada writers who preceded Amoghavarsha I: Vimalachandra (777), Udaya, Nagarjuna, Jayabhandu and 6th century King Durvinita of the Western Ganga Dynasty as the best writers of Kannada prose; Srivijaya, Kavisvara, Chandra Pandita and Lokapala as the best writers of Kannada poetry.[3] But the works and compositions of these early authors are yet to be discovered. Kavirajamarga was formative in the literary growth of Kannada and is a guide book to the Kannada grammar that existed in that period. It laid the "royal path" for guiding many aspiring writers.[10][11]
In his criticism, Amoghavarsha I writes that old Kannada is appropriate in "ancient poems" but is insipid in works of the present time, like an "association with an old woman". According to him, a mixture of Kannada with Sanskrit is "harsh to the ear" but a mixture of Kannada and Sama-Samskrita is pleasant to the ear like "music", while a mixture of Kannada and Sanskrit in compounds is disagreeable "like mixing drops of buttermilk (curdled milk) and boiling milk". He also condemned the usage of expletives such as ante, matte, and gadam.[10]
Notes
^"8th-century book delights Sudha Murthy". The Times of India. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
Sastri, Nilakanta K.A. (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.
Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001) [1980]. A concise history of Karnataka : from pre-historic times to the present. Bangalore: Jupiter books. LCCN 80905179. OCLC 7796041.
Narasimhacharya, R (1988) [1988]. History of Kannada Literature. New Delhi, Madras: Asian Educational Services. ISBN81-206-0303-6.
Mugaḷi, Raṃ Śrī (2006) [1946]. The Heritage of Karnataka: in relation to India. Read Books [Bangalore: Satyasodhama]. ISBN978-1-4067-0232-3.
Das, Sisir Kumar (2005) [2006]. History of Indian literature, 500-1399: from Courtly to the Popular. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN81-260-2171-3.
Various (1988) [1988]. Encyclopaedia of Indian literature – vol 2. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN81-260-1194-7.
Reu, Pandit Bisheshwar Nath (1997) [1933]. History of the Rashtrakutas (Rathodas). Jaipur: Publication Scheme. ISBN81-86782-12-5.
Kamat, Jyotsna. "The Rashtrakutas". Dynasties of the Deccan. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
Kamat, Jyotsna. "Kannada Literature under the Rashtrakutas". The Rashtrakutas. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
May 14, 2023
kavirajamarga, kannada, ಕವ, ಜಮ, earliest, available, work, rhetoric, poetics, grammar, kannada, language, inspired, written, part, famous, rashtrakuta, king, amoghavarsha, some, historians, claim, based, partly, sanskrit, text, kavyadarsha, some, historians, b. Kavirajamarga Kannada ಕವ ರ ಜಮ ರ ಗ 850 C E 1 is the earliest available work on rhetoric poetics and grammar in the Kannada language 2 3 It was inspired by or written in part by the famous Rashtrakuta King Amoghavarsha I and some historians claim it is based partly on the Sanskrit text Kavyadarsha Some historians believe Kavirajamarga may have been co authored by a poet in the king s court the Kannada language theorist Sri Vijaya 2 4 A Stanza from Kavirajamarga which praises the people for their literary skills The name literally means Royal Path for Poets and was written as a guide book for poets and scholars Kavishiksha From references made in this writing to earlier Kannada poetry and literature it is clear that a considerable body of work in prose and poetry must have existed in the preceding centuries 5 Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early writers and literary styles 2 Notes 3 ReferencesBiography EditThe pre coronation name of Amoghavarsha I was Sharva He was born in Sribhavan in 800 to Rashtrakuta King Govinda III during the king s return from his successful northern campaigns in Kanauj This is known from the Manne records 803 Sirur plates and Sanjan records 871 of Amoghavarsha I 6 7 Amoghavarsha I came to the throne in 814 at the age of 14 and took great interest in the Kannada language culture country and its people and his writing Kavirajamarga goes into these details as well 8 The work describes the entire region between the Godavari river in the north and Kaveri river in the south as Kannada country which includes large territories north of modern Karnataka where Kannada is now not spoken 5 An English translation of a quote from the writing goes as follows 9 In all the circle of earthNo fairer land you ll find Than that were rich sweet Kannada Voices the people s mind Twixt sacred river twain it lies From famed Godavari To where the pilgrim rests his eyes Only holy Kaveri The people of that land are skilled To speak in rhythmic tone And quick to grasp a poet s thought So kindred to their own Not students only but the folk untutored in the school By instinct use and understandThe strict poetic rules Early writers and literary styles Edit Kavirajamarga makes important references not only to earlier Kannada writers and poets but also to early literary styles that were in vogue in the various written dialects of Kannada language The aim of this writing was to standardize these written styles The book dwells on earlier styles of composition the Bedande the Chattana and the Gadyakatha and indicates that these styles were recognised by puratana kavi lit earlier poets The term pruvacharyar lit earlier grammarians or rhetoricians has also been used 10 11 12 The book mentions several early Kannada writers who preceded Amoghavarsha I Vimalachandra 777 Udaya Nagarjuna Jayabhandu and 6th century King Durvinita of the Western Ganga Dynasty as the best writers of Kannada prose Srivijaya Kavisvara Chandra Pandita and Lokapala as the best writers of Kannada poetry 3 But the works and compositions of these early authors are yet to be discovered Kavirajamarga was formative in the literary growth of Kannada and is a guide book to the Kannada grammar that existed in that period It laid the royal path for guiding many aspiring writers 10 11 In his criticism Amoghavarsha I writes that old Kannada is appropriate in ancient poems but is insipid in works of the present time like an association with an old woman According to him a mixture of Kannada with Sanskrit is harsh to the ear but a mixture of Kannada and Sama Samskrita is pleasant to the ear like music while a mixture of Kannada and Sanskrit in compounds is disagreeable like mixing drops of buttermilk curdled milk and boiling milk He also condemned the usage of expletives such as ante matte and gadam 10 Notes Edit 8th century book delights Sudha Murthy The Times of India 22 March 2010 Retrieved 5 January 2020 a b Kamath 2001 p 90 a b Narasimhacharya 1988 p 2 Sastri 1955 pp 355 356 a b Sastri 1955 p 355 Kamath 2001 p 77 Reu 1933 p 67 Narasimhacharya 1988 p 17 E P Rice in Das 2005 p 141 a b c Narasimhacharya 1988 p 12 p 17 a b Mugali R S 2006 pp 173 175 Sahitya Akademi 1988 pp 1474 1475References EditSastri Nilakanta K A 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 Kamath Suryanath U 2001 1980 A concise history of Karnataka from pre historic times to the present Bangalore Jupiter books LCCN 80905179 OCLC 7796041 Narasimhacharya R 1988 1988 History of Kannada Literature New Delhi Madras Asian Educational Services ISBN 81 206 0303 6 Mugaḷi Raṃ Sri 2006 1946 The Heritage of Karnataka in relation to India Read Books Bangalore Satyasodhama ISBN 978 1 4067 0232 3 Das Sisir Kumar 2005 2006 History of Indian literature 500 1399 from Courtly to the Popular New Delhi Sahitya Akademi ISBN 81 260 2171 3 Various 1988 1988 Encyclopaedia of Indian literature vol 2 Sahitya Akademi ISBN 81 260 1194 7 Reu Pandit Bisheshwar Nath 1997 1933 History of the Rashtrakutas Rathodas Jaipur Publication Scheme ISBN 81 86782 12 5 Kamat Jyotsna The Rashtrakutas Dynasties of the Deccan Retrieved 3 February 2007 Kamat Jyotsna Kannada Literature under the Rashtrakutas The Rashtrakutas Retrieved 3 February 2007 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kavirajamarga amp oldid 1069690780, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
