Sunday, February 7, 2010

R You KANNADIGA

Kannadiga (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ |masculine|), or Kannadati (Kannada: ಕನ್ನಡತಿ |feminine|) is a reference to the people 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 as their mother tongue. 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, Havigannada, Are Bhashe, Mysooru Kannada, Kundagannada etc. Many Kannadigas have emigrated to countries like United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and United Arab Emirates.

Kannada Empires


Settlement in Karnataka is found to be existent at least from 2nd millennium BC as explored in Brahmagiri archaeological site near Chitradurga,central Karnataka. Chandravalli exploration has revealed interaction of Roman and Chinese travellers around 2 and 3rd Century B.C.[citation needed]

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,

Other brave warriors include


Kannada Art


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 Yelu 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. Majority of the temples were built using the locally available stones.

Places of interest are

Pioneer sculptors include

Modern day contemporaries include visionary architects

[edit] Music

See also: Musicians of Mysore kingdom

One of the oldest forms of music Karnataka Shastreeya Sangeetha which evolved over ages. Purandara Dasa is regarded as Karnataka Sangeetha Pithamaha or the Father of Karnataka Sangeetha. Yakshagana is a unique and indigenous form of music[citation needed] and dance of Karnataka.

Both Hindustani and Karnataka variations are respected and nurtured in Karnataka. Bhavageete and Sugama Sangeetha are some innovations. Other forms of music include Gamaka , Joogera Pada and Lavani

Purandara Dasa, popularly known as Pitamaha/Father of Karnataka Sangeetha

Contemporary musical thespians are


Theatre

Rangabhoomi or the theatre culture is a 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 T P Kailasam,Gubbi Veeranna,G V Iyer ,Rajkumar ,V. Shantaram ,Puttanna Kanagal ,Kalpana ,B. S. Ranga ,B V Karanth ,Girish Kasaravalli ,Shankar Nag ,T.S. Nagabharana,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.

[edit] 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. 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.

Kalaa Kshetras (The abode of Art)


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 ,Kathi Varase (which can be seen depicted in Veeragase and similar to sword fighting), 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.


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, Ayudha Puja
  • 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


The Cuisine of Karnataka includes many vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisines. The varieties reflect influences from the food habits of many regions and communities from the three neighbouring South Indian states, as well as the state of Maharashtra to its north. Some typical dishes include Bisi bele bath, Jolada rotti, Chapati, Ragi rotti, Akki rotti, Saaru, Huli,Vangi Bath, Khara Bath, Kesari Bath, Davanagere Benne Dosa, Ragi mudde, and Uppittu. The famous Masala Dosa traces its origin to Udupi cuisine. Plain and Rave Idli, MysoreMasala Dosa and Maddur Vade are popular in South Karnataka. Coorg district is famous for spicy varieties of pork curries while coastal Karnataka boasts of many tasty seafood specialities. Among sweets, Mysore Pak, Dharwad pedha, Chiroti are well known.

Kadabu, (kind of rice dumplings) is a popular and ethnic food in South Malnad such as Sakaleshpura, Mudigere, Somwarapete,which is consumed along with huchellu(black seasame) chutney. Even kadabu different varities in terms size and ingredients. Starting from a tennis ball size, it is cooked to the size of ping pong. However smallest off all kalu(bean) kadabu which is preapred by pounding raw rice into powder and steamed to make it enough stickier to make little dumplings to the size of a bean(avare kalu. Which is then along with beans given masalae ( spicy mixture hot oil, oninons, garlic, coconut, jeera, red chillies and lime jusice, salt). This overall procedure will consume a days time so the maneodathi( home maker) starts pounding the rice with the help of a housemaid a day earlier, to prepare this mouth watering dish whixh is consumed with hot ghee. And which gets a thumbsup by all of the housemates by making her happier.


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. 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. Davani with a pony tail is normally followed by youth. Gold is the most popular metal for use in jewellery.

Urban male costumes comprises a trouser, shirt and sandals while that of females include churi dhar and moderate heeled sandals. Jeans are popular among the youths, while new age Khadi/silk printed with art or emblem also find place. Hippie kind of hairstyle , long curly hairs are also seen.

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


Literature


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

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, 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


Literature extension

Main article: Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Main article: Bibliotheca Carnatca
Main article: Epigraphia Carnatica

The history site of Bibliotheca Alexandrina bearing kannada script and many Greeko Roman scriptures involving dialogues in hale Kannada in Greek era attest the antiquity.

In India, Mangaluru Samachara was the first Kannada news publication as early as 1843 by German missionary Hermann Mögling.


Contemporary Popular Kannadigas


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[36] 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. 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. also see Appiko Chaluvali

Some noted environmentalists include


Industrialists

Various types of industries have taken rise from Karnataka. Hotel, Dairy, Banking, Timber, Textile, Silk, Sugar, Aeronautic, Coffee, Tea, Software services, Bamboo(Bidriware) , Sandalwood are leading ones. Some prominent leaders include


Cricketers


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.[citation needed] It can be said that the major works of Sanskrit have originated and continues to evolve here.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

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[39] 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.In the field of press and journalism P. Lankesh and S. Gurumurthy[40] 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."[41]

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


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 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.

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 [42] is still pending to be implemented. Sarojini Mahishi Report[43] 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[44] 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.[45] 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)[46] 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.[47] 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 turmeric (ಅರಿಶಿಣ) and kumkum (ಕುಂಕುಮ).

See also


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