The Kannada language and its literature have an extremely interesting history. The Kings,Queens, Princes, Princesses and enlightened people of Karnataka consciously promoted the growth of literature, which not only reflected the thoughts of the time that went a long way in determine the conduct of the people but also reflected their hopes and aspirations.

The Kannada language in the early centuries of the Christian era must have developed sufficiently enough as to make it necessary for a treatise dealing with the elements of literary composition under the title "Kavirajamarga".

Kavirajamarga:
Sri Vijaya, the court poet of Amoghavarsha Nripathunga, the Rashtrakuta ruler, composed it in the 9 Th centuries A.D. It is considered that Sri Vijaya did the first literary works in 9th Century A.D. This work is generally held to be the earliest literary work in Kannada. It is a milestone in the history of Kannada literature.

This work refers to earlier writers like Vimalodaya, Nagarjuna, Jayabandhu and Durvinitha etc. But the works and compositions of these authors are yet to be discovered.

While commenting on the literary patterns, the Kavirajamarga mentions about two earlier but prominent works of Chattana and Bedande, the ancient poets who composed their works before the times of Kavirajamarga.

Kavirajamarga was a formative in the literary growth of Kannada. It laid the royal road of guiding many aspiring writers. The Kavirajamarga contains useful details regarding the land, the people, their language and literature. Mention may be made of the writers like Asaya, Gunanandi and Gunavarma 1.

In the next edition, let us discuss about Pampa (Adi Kavi), the presiding poet in the galaxy of writers in the Kannada language.

Shiva Kumar, Mysore.