- Kannada is one of the official languages of India, and the official language of the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
6 th Century Kannada inscription at a Cave Temple in Badami,Karnataka, describes a land grant by a Chalukya king. - Kannada also known as Kanarese is one of the oldest Dravidian languages. This language is not just confined within the borders of Karnataka, for you will find it spoken by people in parts of the neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Kannada is spoken in its various dialects by roughly 45 million people across the globe. It is one among the top 40 most spoken languages of the world.
- Spoken Kannada is in use since 2500 years, and the written form has its own script since 1900 years. Spoken Kannada varies according to the region of Karnataka it is spoken in, while the written form remains constant. The written form is phonetic-we write as it is spoken.
- On November 1, 2008, the Union Government declared Kannada to be a Classical Language.
- November 1 every year is celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava Day throughout Karnataka state and is declared a state holiday. This was the day that the name Karnataka was given to the Mysore state.
- Kannada is the third oldest language of India (after Sanskrit & Tamil).
- The first Kannada-English Dictionary (Shabda Kosha) was compiled in 1894 by a German priest, Rev. Ferdinand Kittel. He also wrote a book on Kannada Grammar entitled, "A Grammar of the Kannada Language: Comprising the Three Dialects of the Language".
- Several noted centuries old literary works of Kannada have been translated into Sanskrit, and other languages.
- Through the centuries, Kannada has been developing both as literature and a language and has thus been recognized as a Classical Language.
10 thoughts on “ABOUT KANNADA LANGUAGE (Kannada Bhashe)”
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it might be older than tamil. becz litarature and use of kannada older than tamil, and its very sweetest language among all other language. i pride to be a kannadiga. kannadakke jayavagali. jai bhuvaneswari. vandanegalu
The informations are very important and interesting! Good to know about the language,
this is one of the oldest language in India and this language already has a great history.
Thanks to share it with us.
Yes srikanth…it’s older thn Tamil…third oldest language of the world aftr Greek nd sanskrit..
Hi Admin,
Good info..
I think Kannada is older than Tamil.. Even lot of research are going on..
Still no conformation about oldest language… Kannada is oldest language yes, but not the 3rd it might be 2nd or 1st.
Halmidi inscription (4 AD) of Kakutsavarma of Kadambas is the oldest kannada inscription, the badami inscription is later period.
Great effort,Shrikantha.
Just use ee instead of we, thamage instead of thanage.
we maahithi needidakke than age thumba danyavadagalu.
Esther, thank you for the background information on Kannada. I was not aware that Kannada is so old as a language. I am even more determined to learn it well now.
You are welcome, Sneha.
thanks a million! you have done an excellent job! i found it very useful as a beginner.i stay in a remote place, so ur lessons is a great boon for me!