Kannada

Kannada is the official language of the state of Karnataka and is also referred to as Kanarese or Canarese.  Kannada is a Dravidian language and according to the census of 2001 has almost 50.8 million speakers all over the world.  The Kannada script, evolved from the script of Kadamba during the fifth century, is used to write this language.  This language boasts of a history of over thousand years.

Old Kannada inscription in the mantapa of Navalinga temple at Kuknur, Koppal. Image courtesy PDineshkannambadi

According to Sanford B Steever, the Dravidian scholar, the history of this language can be classified into three: During the period from 450 – 1200 CE the language is referred to as the Halegannada or the Old Kannada, from 1200 – 1700 CE it’s called the Nadugannada or the Middle Kannada and from 1700 CE to this present day it is called the Modern Kannada.  The language of Sanskrit and the languages like Pali and Prakrit have influenced this language in a remarkable manner.

The stone inscription dated back to 450 A.D. is the oldest example of Kannada language written down. The beginning years of the Common Era were witness to the writing tradition of Kannada. While the written form of Kannada is consistent, the spoken language varies from place to place. Kannada has forty-nine letters classified as vowels or swaragalu (thirteen letters) consonants or vyanjanagalu (thirty four letters) and yogavaahakagalu which are neither vowels nor consonants. Learn about Kannada learning classes in Bangalore.