Syllabus for Kannada Literature Optional

Kannada is one of the 28 language literature subjects offered as optional by UPSC. Kannada literature is considered as one of the scoring subjects. Many toppers scored 250+ marks in this subject which is very difficult in many other options. The 2016 UPSC topper K R Nandini had Kannada Literature as her optional subject. Most of the questions are analytical which makes the subject very interesting.

Section-A

• History of Kannada Language
  • What is Language? General characteristics of Language. Dravidian Family of Languages and its specific features, Antiquity of Kannada Language Different Phases of its Development.
  • Dialects of Kannada Language: Regional and Social Various aspects of the development of Kannada Language: phonological and Semantic changes. Language borrowing.
• History of Kannada Literature:
  • Ancient Kannada literature: Influence and Trends.
  • Poets for study: Specified poets from Pampa to Ratnakara Varni are to be studied in the light of contents, form, and expression: Pampa, Janna, Nagachandra.
  • Medieval Kannada literature: Influence and Trends.
  • Vachana literature: Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi.
  • Medieval Poets: Harihara, Ragha-Vanka, Kumar-Vyasa.
  • Dasa literature: Purandra and Kanaka.
  • Sangataya: Ratnakaravarni
• Modern Kannada literature:
  • Influence, trends, and ideologies, Navodaya, Pragatishila, Navya, Dalita and Bandaya.

Section-B

• Poetics and literary criticism :
  • Definition and concepts of poetry: Word, Meaning, Alankara, Reeti, Rasa, Dhwani, Auchitya.
  • Interpretations of Rasa Sutra.
  • Modern Trends of literary criticism: Formalist, Historical, Marxist, Feminist, Post-colonial criticism.
• Cultural History of Karnataka
• Contribution of Dynasties to the culture of Karnataka: Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, in a literary context.
• Major religions of Karnataka and their cultural contributions.
• Arts of Karnataka: Sculpture, Architecture, Painting, Music, Dance-in the literary context.
• Unification of Karnataka and its impact on Kannada literature.

Section-A

• Old Kannada Literature:
  • Vikramaarjuna Vijaya of Pampa (cantos 12 & 13), (Mysore University Pub.)
  • Vaddaraadhane (Sukumaraswamyia Kathe, Vidyutchorana Kathe)
• Medieval Kannada Literature:
  • Vachana Kammata, Ed: K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj (Bangalore University Pub.)
  • Janapriya Kanakasamputa, Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Kannada and Culture Directorate, Bangalore)
  • Nambiyannana Ragale, Ed., T.N. Sreekantaiah (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore)
  • Kumaravyasa Bharata: Karna Parva (Mysore University)
  • Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha Ed. Ta. Su. Shama Rao (Mysore University)

Section-B

• Modern Kannada Literature
  • Poetry : Hosagannada Kavite, Ed : G.H. Nayak (Kannada Saahitya Parishattu, Bangalore)
  • Novel : Bettada Jeeva-Shivarama Karanta Madhavi-Arupama Niranjana Odalaala-Devanuru Mahadeva
  • Short Story : Kannada Sanna Kathegalu, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Sahitya Academy, New Delhi).
  • Drama : Shudra Tapaswi-Kuvempu. Tughalak-Girish Karnad.
  • Vichara Saahitya : Devaru-A.N. Moorty Rao (Pub : D.V.K. Moorty, Mysore.)
• Folk Literature :
  • Janapada Swaroopa-Dr. H.M. Nayak. (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore.)
  • Janapada Geetaanjali-Ed.D. Javare Gowda. (Pub : Sahitya Academy, New Delhi.)
  • Kannada Janapada Kathegalu-Ed. J.S. Paramashivaiah, (Mysore University.)
  • Beedi Makkalu Beledo. Ed. Kalegowda Nagavara (Pub : Bangalore University.)
  • Savirada Ogatugalu-Ed : S.G. Imrapura.