Kavirajamargam
- Kavirajamargam (The Way of the King of Poets) was authored by Srivijaya.
- The work dates back to the 9th century.
It has been translated by R.V.S. Sundaram and Deven M. Patel. - Kavirajamargam is an extant work of early Kannada.
- It is regarded as one of the early works to address literary culture from a regional perspective.
- Kavirajamargam is recognised as an important influence in shaping the literary tradition of Kannada scholars such as Sheldon Pollock, K.V. Subbanna, K.D. Kurtakoti, D.R. Nagaraj, Sha. Shettar and K.V. Narayana.
- According to translators, the author dealt with the nativity of the region’s aesthetic dispositions in this unique work.
- Kavirajamargam uses traditional Kannada metrical compositions such as Kanda, Gitike and Akkara and also several metres borrowed from Sanskrit, which makes translation a challenge.
- The work is sometimes attributed to Rashtrakuta King Nrupatunga Amoghavarsha but it is argued that it is the work of poet Srivijaya who was in his court.
- It maps a location where Kannada literature is produced and also offers a paean to the literary abilities of the people of this region.
- The boundaries of Kannada country are delineated to extend from the river Kaveri to the Godavari river.
Vaddaradhane
- The next translation on plan is Vaddaradhane (890 CE) by Shivakotiacharya and is also the earliest extant prose work in Kannada and a collection of 19 stories written in old Kannada, replete with Prakrit words.
- Vaddaradhane throws light on the contemporary lifestyles as well as the nature of Kannada during the period of its composition, besides being an important source of historical details.
- Saahasabhimavijaya or Gadhayuddha by Ranna, a 10th century Kannada poet, is another important Kannada classic JNU Kannada Chair is planning to translate into English.
Section : History & Culture
