The Kannada or Kanarese people, known as the Kannadiga, are the people who natively speak the Kannada language. Kannadigas are mainly found in the state of Karnataka in India and in the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra. The English plural is Kanarese, Kannadas, or Kannadigas.They are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group.
Kannadigas are people who speak Kannada, its variants or its dialects as their native language. The districts of Karnataka have mixed variations of dialects like Dharwad Kannada, Sankethi, Naddvara Kannada, Havigannada, Bengaluru Kannada, Are Bhashe, Mysooru Kannada,Kundagannada, etc. Janapadas of Soliga, Badaga and other tribes of Karnataka having rich contribution to Kannada literature have their own style.
Early settlements
Kannadigas have built powerful empires and kingdoms with Kannada as the official language. The language was once popular from Kaveri to Godavarias mentioned in Kavirajamarga of 850 CE. Archaeological evidences prove Kannada inscriptions found as far north as Madhya Pradesh (Inscription ofKrishna III) and Bihar.[9] The great Karnataka Expansion provides insights to kingdoms of northern India whose originators were from Kannada country.
Settlement in Karnataka is found to be existent at least from the 2nd millennium BC as explored in Brahmagiri archaeological site nearChitradurga district, central Karnataka. Chandravalli exploration has revealed interaction of Roman and Chinese travelers around the 2nd and 3rd century BC.
The major empires and kingdoms, their regal capital and most distinguished kings were:
- Western Ganga Dynasty - Talakadu - Durvinita
- Kadamba Dynasty - Banavasi - Mayurasharma
- Badami Chalukya - Badami - Pulakesi II
- Rashtrakuta - Manyakheta - Amoghavarsha I
- Hoysala - Belur and Halebidu - Veera Ballala II
- Kalyani Chalukya - Basavakalyana - Vikramaditya VI
- Southern Kalachuri - Kalyani - Bijjala II
- Vijayanagara - Hampi - Hakka, Bukka
- Keladi Nayaka - Ikkeri - Shivappa Nayaka
- Kingdom of Mysore - Mysooru - Nalvadi Krishnaraja Odeyar
- Alupas of Canara - Udupi - Aluvarasa II
Minor dynasties that have played an important role in the development of Kannada language, culture and polity were Chutus of Banavasi (feudatory toSatavahana Empire), Tuluva Dynasty of Canara, Rattas of Saundatti (Belgaum), Guttas of Guttal (Dharwad region),Banas of Kolar,Nolambas of Nolambavadi,Vaidumbas, Chengalvas,Kongalvas, Sendrakas of Nagarkhanda (Banavasi province), Yalahanka Nadaprabhu, Sindas of Yelburga (Bijapur-Gulbarga), Kadambas of Hangal.
In addition, other well known kingdoms that patronized Kannadiga poets and Kannada language were:
- Eastern Chalukyas
- Kakatiya dynasty
- Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri
- Shilahara
- Kadambas of Goa
The Karnatak Kshatriyas of Bihar, the Chalukyas of Gujarat, the Chalukyas of Vengi (Eastern Chalukya), the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, the Rashtrakuta family ruling from Berar (modern Amravati district, Maharashtra), and the Rashtrakutas branch of Gujarat (Lata branch), are some possible examples.
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.
Kannada art Sculpture
Sculpture has been the epitome of art in Karnataka. Be it the musical pillars of Hampi, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ekashila(monolithic) statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali that was voted by Indians as the first of Seven Wonders of India, the Yelu Sutthina Kote of Chitradurga(The Fort of Seven Laps) cutting across hill or 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. A majority of the temples were built using the locally available stones.
Ellora Caves houses the Kailasanatha temple of Ellooru (maratized to Ellora) of Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas.
Some of the places of interest are:
- Elephanta Caves island was a summer resort of Rashtrakuta kings.
- Ajanta Caves have sculptures of Rashrakutas and Badami Chalukyas.
- Hampi houses the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire and is declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
- Pattadakal is a vesara style of Hindu temple architecture, another UNESCO World Heritage Site[38]
- Badami cave temples, a regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas, now famous for its sandstone cave temples
- Aihole is known for its many temples and inscriptions of Chalukya Pulakesi II in the Old Kannada script
- Basavakalyan, a major centre of social and religious movement in 12th century by Basava, consists of temples in Chalukyan architecture
- Itagi is home to the Shiva temple built by Vikramāditya. Considered to be the best specimen of Kalyani Chalukyan art, it has as many as 68 decorated pillars, an ornate tower and a doorway of great workmanship
- Lakkundi
- Belur
- Halebeedu
- Shravanabelagola
- Ikkeri
- Keladi
- Banavasi
Pioneer sculptors include:
- Amarashilpi Jakanachari
- Ruvari Malithamma
- Chavundaraya
Modern day contemporaries include visionary architects such as:
- Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, father of modern Indian engineering, Kannambadi Katte or KRS dam
- Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Vidhana Soudha
The Haridasa compositions are popularly known as Devaranamas. Compositions like Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Venkatachala Nilayam, Jagadoddharana,Tamboori Meetidava are some of the many examples of their scholarly work.
The Haridasas richly contributed to the heritage of Karntataka music. They made an indelible impression on the religious and cultural life of Karnataka by spreading the didactic teachings in a musical form to the hearts of the common folk. Like other doyens of Indian classical music, these scholars offered prayer to Vishnu through music, called naadopasana. The Lord is described as Samagana priya, and bhakti through music is the most preferred path to 'reach' Him.
Some noted Haridasas or composers of Dasa Sahitya are:
- Purandara Dasa, widely regarded as Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha or "Father of Carnatic music"
- Kanaka Dasa, a younger contemporary of Purandara Dasa
- Sripadaraja
- Vyasatirtha
- Vadirajatirtha
- Jagannatha Dasa
- Jayatirtha
- Gopala Dasa
- Vijaya Dasa
- Naraharitirtha
One of the oldest forms of music in the region is Karnataka Shastreeya Sangeetha which has evolved over ages. Both Hindustani and Karnataka variations are respected and nurtured by Kannadigas. Bhavageete and Sugama Sangeetha are some innovations. Other forms of music include Gamaka, Joogera Pada and Lavani. Yakshagana is considered a unique and indigenous form of both music and dance of Karnataka.
Contemporary musical thespians are:
- Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, recipient of the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honor
- Gangubai Hanagal, awarded both Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1971 and 2002 respectively
- C. Aswath, recipient of Karnataka Rajyotsava Prashasti for his immense contribution to Bhavageete[56]
- Puttaraj Gawai
- C. Honappa Bhagavathar
- P. Kalinga Rao
- Balappa Hukkeri
- Mallikarjuna Mansur
- Basavaraja Rajguru
- Veene Sheshanna
- Pitilu Chowdiah
- Sawai Gandharva
- Kumar Gandharva
- Mysore Ananthaswamy
- Dr.Mysore Manjunath
Rangabhoomi or the theater culture is a tradition with Kannadigas. While a lot of gadhya (literature) is written in praise of the heroic characters of the epics and puranas, there are major works depicting the kings and their rule. These are called Naataka (plays having wide ranging stages for performance like Rangamancha staged in either theaters or on streets) and Bayalata (ಬಯಲಾಟ). As its etymology indicates, bayalu means open-air field and ata means theater. In southern Karnataka, the eastern and western varieties of Yakshagana are termed Bayalata, whereas in the north several other distinct genres are included under the name.
Some famous theatrical, cinematic and television personalities like T P Kailasam, Gubbi Veeranna, C. Honappa Bhagavathar, G V Iyer, Dr. 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 its richness.
Vasanta Habba (ವಸಂತ ಹಬ್ಬ), which means "spring festival" in Kannada is a cultural festival organized by theNrityagram foundation in Bengaluru. It is a very popular event and is considered the classical Woodstock ofIndia. First held in 1990, it now attracts the best musicians, dancers and cultural artists from across India. Similarly,'Bengaluru Habba (ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಹಬ್ಬ is a congregation of art performances at places in the city which is successfully celebrated every year. It aims to provide aesthetic entertainment to a wide cultural, social and demographic cross-section of the city's people by partnering with corporates and other stakeholders since 2003. In 2006, the Government of Karnataka tried to bring the folklore and art into the city of Bengaluru by initiatingJaanapada Jaatre (ಜಾನಪದ ಜಾತ್ರೆ) which was hugely successful and received well by art lovers. It is usually held on select weekends in Lalbaghand other parts of the city.
Dance formsThe mystic and spirited reliving of legends and epics are the major depictions in dance forms. With the theater of battle scenes of heroism, loyalty and treachery, colour and pageantry are the main subjects. More are adapted with the course of nature and seasons adding colour to the harvesting seasons. Tribal forms of dance can be found limited in the regions inhabited by Soligas, of which Pinasee is a traditional dance form. Other tribal dance forms are from the forests of Kodagu and Western Ghats.
Some of the folk dances and classical dance forms in Karnataka include:
- Dollu Kunitha, a popular drum dance accompanied by singing
- Kamsale, danced to the tune of a rhythm instrument of the same name made of brass
- Veeragase, a vigorous dance based on Hindu mythology which is demonstrated at the Mysore Dasara procession
- Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka
- Gaarudi Gombe, where dancers adorn themselves with giant doll-suits made of bamboo sticks
- Moodalapaya
- Bayalata featuring stories of Puranas rendered as dance
- Bharatanaatya, a classical dance form practiced predominantly by young females and women
- Srikrishna Parijatha
- Kolata is performed with coloured sticks and usually involves both men and women dancing together
- Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat
- Chowdiah Memorial Hall
- Gaayana Samaja
- Ranga Shankara
- Nrithya Grama
- Ravindra Kalakshetra
- Gubbi Veeranna Rangamandira
- Janapada Loka
- Rangayana
- NINASAM
- Prabhat Kalavidaru
- NatyaMaya
- Sanathana Kalakshetra
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, and 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.
- Malladihalli Sri Raghavendra Swami
- K. Pattabhi Jois
Kannadigas celebrate festivals throughout the year presenting the diverse culture and belief of the ethnicity. Festivals have varied reasons to celebrate.
- Agriculture: Upon onset of monsoon, sowing or harvest there are festivals celebrated like Chaandramana Ugaadi (marking of new year), Makara Sankranthi and Huttari.
- Monsoon: Dasara/Navarathri, Ayudha Puja
- Puraana: Maha Shivarathri, Varamahalakshmi Vrata, Bheemana Amavasye, Swarna Gowri Vratha, Ganesha Chaturthi, Naagara Panchami, Ratha Sapthami, Krishna Janmashtami, Rama Navami, Vijaya Dashami, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Naraka Chaturdashi, Bali Padyami and others.
In the countryside, a dana jaathre (livestock fair) is held which is a conglomeration of people where a local demigod is worshiped and a ratha or theru (chariots) are moved by the bhakthas and daasoha (free food) is arranged for the visitors.
North Karnataka has a unique blend of Hindu and Muslim brotherhood with people celebrating festivals in unison and exchanging goodwills owing to great revolutionary Shishunala Sharif and Guru Govinda Bhatta who had displayed their religious tolerance and spiritual unity of all religions.
Christmas is celebrated at large in Bengaluru and Mangalooru which host some of the oldest churches and educational institutions of the country. Buddha, Mahaveera, Shankara, Basavanna andGandhi are remembered on their birth anniversaries.
Cuisine
The cuisine of Karnataka includes many vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. 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.
Among sweets, Mysore Pak, Dharwad Pedha, Chiroti, Belagavi Kunda are well known. Hurnagadab, Hurnaholige, Karadantu, Shenga Holige and Sajka have origins in the Malnad region. Indis (chutneys) of Karnataka have a very distinct taste and flavour. Some popular ones include Shenga indi (groundnut), Agashi indi, Karal indi, Inichi indi and Mavina indi (mango). Similarly, Karnataka uppinakai (pickles) too are very distinct from the rest like Mavina thokku (fine mango pickles), Nimbekai uppinakai (lemon pickles), Tenga Mavina uppinakai (entire mango pickle), gaajri uppinkai (carrot pickle) and menshinikai uppinakai (chili pickle).
CostumesKarnataka has the only village in the country which produces authentic Indian national flags according to manufacturing process and specifications for the flag are laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards at Hubli.
The costume of Kannada people varies from place to place. The Kannadiga male costumes of South Karntaka mainly include Panchey (often tied as Kachche) or Lungi(wrapping style depends on the region) and a shirt. During the era of Kingdoms, the crowns available mainly were Mysuru Peta and Dharwad Peta. Shalya is a piece of long cloth which is put on shoulder commonly seen in countryside. Many use Khadi in their clothing till date of which politicians are prominent ones.
Female costumes include Seere of which Ilakal Seerey and Mysore silk (government owned) are famous. Seere has variations of draping depending on regions like Kodagu, North and South Karnataka and Karavali. Young women in some parts of Karnataka traditionally wear the Davani (half saree).
Urban male costumes comprises a trouser, shirt and sandals while that of females include churidar and moderate heeled sandals. Jeans are popular among the youth, while new age Khadi/silk printed with art or emblem also find place. 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. With an unbroken literary history of over a thousand years, the excellence of Kannada literature continues into the present day: works of Kannada literature have received eight Jnanpith awards and fifty-six Sahitya Akademi awards.
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 equaling a God in popular comparison. The literature saw the Vachana (said), Tattva (that-ness), 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 eight Jnanpith awards.[72]
Kannada Thantramsha or software is developed under Kuvempu University. There is a sizable open-source community based in Bengaluru.
Some of the contemporary active institutions of Kannada literature are
- Kannada Sahitya Parishat
- Academies operating as its wings include Tulu, Konkani, Kodava, and Urdu. A Byari academy is the latest academy opened in Karnataka.
- Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate
Mangaluru Samachara was the first Kannada news publication as early as 1843 by German missionary Hermann Mögling.
List of newspapers:
- Vijaya Karnataka
- Prajavani
- Samyuktha Karnataka
- Kannadaprabha
- Udayavani
Contemporary popular Kannadigas Spiritual leaders
- Raghavendra Swami
- Siddharudha Swami
- Sree Sree Shivakumara Swami
- Beerendra Keshava Tarakananda Puri
- H. Narasimhaiah - unparalleled rationalist.=
- Kollur Mallappa
- B D Jatti - former president and vice president of India
- Mailara Mahadevappa
- Gudleppa Hallikeri
- Dore Swamy
Some of the distinguished scientists are
- Raja Ramanna - Indian nuclear scientist and father of the Indian nuclear bomb.
- Dr. M.C. Modi - One of the greatest ophthalmologist of the world and an unparalleled humanist.
- C. N. R. Rao - One of the foremost solid state scientists of world. Also chairman of Science Advisory Council of GOI.
More prominently leading example of one who studied in Kannada medium and reached such heights.
- Narayan Hosmane - biochemistry and cancer research.
- Roddam Narasimha - senior scientist IISc, chairman JNCASR.
- S. K. Shivkumar - scientist, ISRO telemetry (ISRO), associated with Chandrayaan-1
- C.R. Rao - statistics, mathematician.
- Shrinivas Kulkarni - professor of astrophysics and planetary science at Caltech, United States of America.
- U.R.vRao - Indian space scientist and father of the Indian modern space technology.
- K.N.vShankara - Indian space scientist and master in satellite payload technology.
- Shakuntala Devi - mathematics
Karnataka is one of the few states which, while a leading contributor for GDP of the country 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. See Appiko Chaluvali.
Some noted environmentalists include
- Ullas Karanth (tiger research biologists/zoologist)
- Sanjay Gubbi
- Nerain Jain
- D.V Girish
- Chinnappa
- Saalumarada Thimmakka
- Suresh Heblikar
- Poornachandra Tejaswi (ornithologist / littérateur)
- Snake Shyam
- Krupakar-Senani
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 a 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 multicultural state — 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 nearShivamogga where people speak only Sanskrit till date. Bengaluru has almost all language speakers of India.
Karnataka and parts of Maharashtra are the only states which have diversity of including Malenadu Nithyaharidwarna — evergreen ghats andBayaluseeme 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.
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 colonies for refugees from Tibet are formed, one near Mundgod and one near Kushalanagara, protecting them from Chinese atrocities. Karnataka has sheltered flood victims of northeastern 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.
Political sphere
After the Odeyar era who already had established democracy by naming elected representative called Saamantha in southern regions as early as 19th century, 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 the 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 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 a backing here and a few naxalite outfits function in Karnataka.
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 due to political and bureaucratic lobby. Because of this, 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 are some of the noted ones famous for their leftist affiliations.
The Dravidian leader and social reformer Periyar was a descendant of migrant commanders from the Mysore region. Periyar E. V. Ramasamy single-handedly changed the essence of Tamil Naduand Indian politics to a very great extent. The present Tamil Nadu politics has descended from Periyar and his movement. In one of his speeches, 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 Balijawar caste."
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 Horanadu Kannadigas (or non-resident Kannadigas) are Kannadigas who have migrated to another state or country, people of Kannada origin born outside Karnataka, or people of Kannada origin who reside permanently outside of Karnataka. N R Narayana Murthy, speaking at the 2011 World Kannada Conference, opined that Kannadigas who move out of the state are respected everywhere . Although the failure in political arena has reflected in the cultural isolation of emigrants, some of the successful functional bodies include Singara (Singapore), Dehali Kannadiga (New Delhi), Mumbai Karnataka Sangha (Mumbai), Mallige Kannada Balaga (Mauritius), North America Vishwa Kannada Association (NAVIKA) and Association of Kannada Kootas of America (AKKA) in the USA have promoted cultural involvement through events such as Kannadotsava. 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 six 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 joy to the Kannadiga population that now was merged under the state of Mysore. 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 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
- Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha
- Karnataka Ekikarana Samithi
- Karnataka Rakshana Vedike
- Kannada Chalavali Vatal Paksha
The Kannada ethnic flag is a banner with two horizontal stripes, yellow on top and red on the bottom. 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).