List of Karnataka literature

This is a list of historical and modern Karnataka literature, arranged in chronological order of the historical polity or era from which the works originated. Karnataka literature originates from the Karnataka region of South India, which roughly corresponds to the modern state of Karnataka.

This list includes, but is not limited to, works written in the Sanskrit and Kannada languages. Where information is available, the author or authors of the text are listed, followed by the title of the text and the language or languages in which the text is written. Multiple works by the same author are listed separately.

Western Ganga Dynasty
(350–1000)

Pūjyapāda – Sarvārthasiddhi (Sanskrit)
Jinasena II – Ādipurāṇa (Sanskrit)
Madhava II – Dattaka Sutrain (Sanskrit)
Sripurusha – Gajasastra
Shivamara II – Gajashtaka (Kannada)
Shivamara II – Sethubandha (Prakrit)
Hemasena or Vidya Dhananjaya – Raghavpandaviya
Vidhibhasimha – Gadyachintamani
Vidhibhasimha – Kshatrachudamani
Guru Nemichandra – Gommatasara
Chavundaraya – Chavundaraya Purana (Kannada)
Chavundaraya – Charitrasara (Kannada)
Chavundaraya – Trishashti Laksan Puran (Kannada)
Nagavarma I – Chandombhudhi
Jinasena I – Harivamsha (Sanskrit)

Rashtrakuta Dynasty
(753–982)

Trivikrama – Nalachampu (Sanskrit)
Halayudha – Kavirahasya
Halayudha – Mritasanjivini
Somadevasuri – Nitikavyamrita
Mahaviracharya – Ganita-Sara-Samgraha
Virasenacharya – Jayadhavala-Tika
Jinasenacharya – Parsvabhyudaya Mahapurana
Jinasenacharya – Dhavala
Gunabhadra – Uttarapurana (Sanskrit)
Asaga – Vardhamana Purana (Kannada)
Amoghavarsha I – Prashottara Ratnamakike (Kannada)
Amoghavarsha I – Kavirajamarga (Kannada)
Sri Ponna
– Bhuvanaika-Ramabhyudaya (Kannada)
Sri Ponna – Santipurana (Kannada)
Sri Ponna – Jinaksaramale (Kannada)
Adikavi Pampa – Adipurana (Kannada)
Adikavi Pampa – Vikramarjuna Vijaya (Kannada)
Shivakotiacharya – Vaddaradhane (Kannada)

Seuna (Yadava) Dynasty (860–1317)

Kamalabhava – Santhishwarapurana (Kannada)
Achanna – Varadhamanapurana (Kannada)
Chundarasa of Pandharapura – Dashakumara Charite (Kannada)

Western Chalukya Empire (973–1189)

Ranna – Ajitapurana (Kannada)
Ranna – Sahasabhimavijaya (Kannada)
Ranna – Gadayuddha (Kannada)
Ranna – Rannakanda (Kannada)
Chavundaraya II – Lokopakara (Kannada)
Chandraraja – Madanatilaka (Kannada)
Shridharacharya – Jatakatilaka (Kannada)
Kirtivarma – Govaidya (Kannada)
Durgasimha – Panchatantra (Kannada)
Nagavarma – Kavyavalokana (Kannada)
Brahmashiva – Samayaparikshe (Kannada)
Vadiraja – Yashodharacharitam (Sanskrit)
Vadiraja – Parshvanatha Charitam (Sanskrit)
Bilhana – Vikramankadeva Charitha (Sanskrit)
Vijananeshvara – Mitakshara (Sanskrit)
Someshwara III – Abhilashithartha Chinthamani or Manasollasa (Sanskrit)
Someshwara III – Chandraprabhacharite (Sanskrit)
Jagadekamalla – Sangithachudamani (Sanskrit)
Jagaddala Somanatha – Karnataka Kalyanakaraka (Kannada)
Karnaparya – Neminatha Purana (Kannada)
Nayasena – Dharmamrita (Kannada)
Brahmasiva – Samayaparikshe (Kannada)
Shantiraja – Sukumaracharita (Kannada)
Vritta Vilasa – Translation of Sanskrit text Dharama Parikshe (Kannada)
Nagavarma II – Kavyavalokana (Kannada)
Nagavarma II – Bhashabhushana (Kannada)
Nagavarma II – Abhidana Vastukosha (Kannada)

Hoysala Empire
(950–1343)

Madhvacharya – Sarvamula Granthas (Sanskrit)
Vidyatirtha – Rudraprashnabhashya (Sanskrit)
Nagachandra – Ramachandra Charitapurana (Kannada)
Nagachandra – Mallinathapurana (Kannada)
Harihara – Girija Kalyana (Kannada)
Harihara – Basavarajadevara Ragale (Kannada)
Raghavanka – Harischandra Kavya (Kannada)
Raghavanka – Siddhara Chanitra (Kannada)
Raghavanka – Veeresha Charite (Kannada)
Raghavanka – Sharabha Charitre (Kannada)
Raghavanka – Somanathacharita (Kannada)
Raghavanka – Harihara Mahatwa (Kannada)
Janna – Yashodhara Charite (Kannada)
Janna – Ananthanatha Purana (Kannada)
Nemichandra – Leelavati (Kannada)
Nemichandra – Neminatha Purana (Kannada)
Achanna – Vardhamana Purana
Rudrabhatta – Jagannatha Vijaya (Kannada)
Mallikarjuna – Sukti (Kannada)
Mallikarjuna – Sudharnava (Kannada)
Kesiraja – Shabdamanidarpana (Kannada)
Hastimalla – Adipurana (Kannada)
Andayya – Vardhamana Purana (Kannada)
Andayya – Kabbigarakava (Kannada)
Choundarasa – Abhinava Dasha Kumara Charitha (Kannada)
Choundarasa – Nala Champu (Kannada)
Rajaditya – Kshetraganita (Kannada)
Rajaditya – Vyavaharaganita (Kannada)
Rajaditya – Lilavati (Kannada)
Ratta Kavi – Rata-Mata (Kannada)
Bandhuvarma – Neminatha Purana (Kannada)
Bandhuvarma – Harivamsha (Kannada)
Mahabalakavi – Neminatha Purana (Kannada)
Padmarasa – Dikshabodhe (Kannada)
Hastimalla – Adipurana
Trivikrama – Ushaharana (Sanskrit)
Narayana Pandita – Madhwavijaya (Sanskrit)
Narayana Pandita – Manimanjari (Sanskrit)
Narayana Pandita – Parijataharana (Sanskrit)
Vidyacharkarvartin II – Rukminikalyana (Sanskrit)

Vachanakaras

vachanas
– Kannada)
Madivala Machayya (vachanakara – Kannada)
Madara Channayya (vachanakara – Kannada)
Sakalesha Madarasa (vachanakara – Kannada)
Ramanna (vachanakara – Kannada)
Sujikayakada Ramitande (vachanakara – Kannada)
Medara Ketayya (vachanakara – Kannada)
Kayakada Basappa (vachanakara – Kannada)
Virupaksha Pandita – (Chennabasavapurana – Kannada)
Dharani Pandita – (Bijjalarayacharite – Kannada)
Chandrasagara Varni (Bijjalarayapurana – Kannada)

Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646), Kannada Haridasa Sahitya

Kumara Vyasa (1430 AD) (Gadugina Bharata or Karnataka Bharata KathaManjari a Kannada adaptation of Mahabharata and Airavata. His title was Rupaka Samrajya Chakravarti (Emperor of the World of Metaphors).)
Narahri or Kumara Valmiki (1500 AD) (Torave Ramayana in Kannada & Smriti Kaustubha in Sanskrit)
Vittalanatha (Bhagavatha) – Kannada
Ratnakarvarni (16th century) (Bharatesha Vaibhava, Triloka Sataka, Someswara Sataka) – Kannada
Nanjunda – Kumara Rama Charita (16th century) – Kannada
BhimaKavi – Basavapurana(1369 AD) – Kannada
Padmanaka – Kannada
Kereya Padmarasa – Padmaraja Purana (1385 AD) – Kannada
Lakkana Dandesa Shivatatwa Chintamani (1428 AD) – Kannada
Gubbi Mallanacharya – Veerasaivamrita (1513 AD) – Kannada
Singiraja – Kannada
Chamarasa (Prabhulinga Leele) – Kannada
Akalanka (16th century), Jain scholar – Kannada
Bhattakalaka (16th century) – Kannada grammarian
Mangaraja (1360 AD) (Khagendra-Mani-Darpana, work on poisons and antidotes) – Kannada
Sayana (Vedartha Prakasha, Yajnatantra Sudhanidhi, Prayaschitra Sudhanidhi and Purushartha Sudhanidhi) – Sanskrit
Madhava Vidyaranya (Parasara – Madhaviya, Sarva-darshana-samgraha) – Sanskrit
Devanna Bhatta (Smriti Chandrika) – Sanskrit
Gangadevi (Poet, Madhura Vijayam) – Sanskrit
Tirumalamba Devi (Poet, Varadambika Parinayam) – Sanskrit
Krishnadevaraya (Madalasa Charita, Satyavadu Parinaya& Rasamanjari – Sanskrit
Ramaraja (Bakhair – Battle of Talikota – Persian??)
Timmanna Kavi, patronised by king Krishnadevaraya, Kannada
Kereya Padmarasa, Padmaraja Purana – Kannada
Linganna, Keladinripavijayam – Kannada
Unknown author, Krishnadevarayana Dinachari is a recent discovery in Kannada.
Chatu Vithalanatha, Kannada
Madhura, Kannada
Salva
Mallanarya, Veerasaivamrita – Kannada
Lakkana Dandesa, Shivatatwa Chintamani – Kannada
Shivagna Prasadi Mahadevayya and Halageyadeva, Shunya Sampadane – Kannada
Kallumathada Prabhuva – Kannada
Jakkanna – Kannada
Maggeya Mayideva – Kannada
Tontada Siddalingayati – Kannada

Haridasa

Purandaradasa
(1484–1564 AD) (Father of Carnatic music. Composed 475,000 songs in Kannada. His titles wereDasaShreshta Purandaropanishat, Sangitapitamaha)
Kanakadasa
(1509–1607 AD) (Padas and Keertans

RamadhyanaCharite, Haribhakthisara, Kalacharithre, Mohana Tarangini, Nalacharitre – Kannada)

Narahari Thirtha
Padmanabha Thirtha
Akshobhya Thirtha
Jayatirtha – Nyaya sudha, Tattva prakashika, Prameya deepika, Nyaya deepika Important works
Sripadaraya
of Mulbagal (1500 AD)
Kanakadasa and Krishnadevaraya wrote Nyayamritam, Tarkatandava, Tatparya Chandrika Important Works

Sri Vadirajaswami

Later Haridasa

Guru
Raghavendra Swami (1600–1671 AD) the great Sage of Manthralaya.Important works

Vijaya Dasa (1687–1755 AD)

Mohana Dasa

Gopala Dasa (1721–1762 AD)

Helavanakatte Giriyamma

Jagannatha Dasa (1728–1809 AD) (Harikathamrithasara, Uga Bhogas, Keerthanas and Tathva Suvalis– Kannada)

Kannada literature from
Keladi Nayaka
kingdom

Basappanayaka (Shivatatwa Ratnakara – History Keladi Kings)

Linganna (Keladi Napra Vijaya– History of Keladi Kings)

Wodeyar (1670 AD) – more than 30 works in Kannada

Tirumalaraya (1680 CE) (Chikkadevaraja Vijayam, Chikkadevaraja Vamshaavali – History of Mysore Kings)

Govinda Vaidya (1648 CE) (Narasaraja Vijaya – History of Mysore Kings)

Bhattakalanka Deva (1604 AD) (Karnataka Shabdaushasana on grammar)

Sakdakshara Deva (1657 AD) (Rajshekhara Vilasa – romantic champu)

Noorondayya (1740 AD) (Soundara Kavya)

Nijaguna Yogi

(1650 AD) (Viveka Chintamani – Shaiva work)

Nanja Raja (1760 AD) (Shiva Bhakti Mahatmya and Hari Vamsa – Puranic works)

Brahma Kavi (Samaya Pariksha)

Sarvajna (1650 AD) (tripadis or vachanas pithy three lined poems in Kannada)

Kannada literature from old Bangalore (18th century – 20th century)

18th-century Kannada

Guru Nanjesh (Jayastuti)
Ekambara Dikshit (Veerabhdra Vijaya)
Jayaram Pande (Radha Madhava Vilasa)
Mudduveeraswamy (1700 AD) (Vachanakara)
Sarpabhooshana Shivayogi (1795–1839 AD) (Vachanakara)
Mahant Desika (Vachanakara)
Jeerage Basavalingacharya (Vachanakara)

19th-century Kannada (topics: grammar, linguistics, Jain and Virashaiva philosophy, geology, agriculture, politics)

Siddhanti Velanada
Subramanya Shastri
Siddhanti Shivakumara Shastri
Srinivasa
Nagasharma
Dakshinamurthy Shastri
Padmaraja Bhramasuri
Ramanathapuram Raguraya
S. N. Narasimhaiah
Doddabele Narayana Shastri – commentary on Jaimini Bharatha, Sundarakhanda, translations of Kalidasa works

20th-century Kannada

Bidare Ashwatha Narayana shastri (Dhammapada)
B. Puttiah (printing technology)
Panyam Sudarashastri (a translation of Bhasa Dharma)
S.K. Nasasimhaiya (biography of Magadi Kempe Gowda)
Toppulu Raghavacharya (translation of commentary on Gita)
Mahant desika (Yakshagana composition)
Balasaraswati (first detective novel)
Mahadevaswamy (nicknamed Abhinava Allama)
Pt. Shivakumar Swamy
Siddalingaswamy of Beli Matha
Nanjundaswamy of Guruvanna Matha
Pt. B. Shivamurty Shastri

20th-century Sanskrit Keerthanakaras

Singeri NarasimhaShastri
M. Lakshminarasimha Shastri
Varada Desikachar
Jaggu Vakulabhushana
Rariapalli Anantha Krishna Sharma
Motaganahalli Subramanya Shastri

20th-century harikathe dasaru

Gururajulu Naidu
Sant Keshava Das
Bhadragiri Achuth Das
Malur Sonnappa
Muiratnam Mudaliar

Modern Kannada poets, scholars and writers

Sahitya Academy Awardees

1955 Kuvempu (K. V. Puttappa) Sri Ramayana Darsanam (epic)
1956 R. S. Mugali Kannada Sahitya Charitre (history of literature)
1958 D. R. Bendre Aralu-Maralu (poetry)
1959
K. Shivaram Karanth
Yakshagana Bayalata (a treatise on folk-drama)
1960 'Vinayaka' (
V. K. Gokak
) Dyava-Prithvi (poetry)
1961 A. R. Krishnashastry Bengali Kadambarikara Bankim Chandra (a critical study)
1962 Devudu Narasimha Sastri Mahakshatriya (novel)
1964 B. Puttaswamayya Kranti-Kalyana (novel)
1965 S. V. Ranganna Ranga Binnapa (philosophical reflections)
1966 P. T. Narasimhachar Hamsa Damayanti Mattu Itara Rupakagalu (musical plays)
1967 D. V. Gundappa Shrimad Bhagavadgita Tatparya Athava Jivanandharmayoga (philosophical expositions)
1968 'Srinivasa' (Masti Venkatesha Iyengar) Sannakathegalu (12–13) (short stories)
1969 H. Tipperudraswamy Karnataka Samskriti Sameekshe (cultural study)
1970 S. B. Joshi Karnataka Samskritiya Poorva Peethike (cultural study)
1971 Adya Rangacharya Kalidasa (literary criticism)
1972 S. S. Bhoosnurmath Shoonyasampadaneya Paramarshe (commentary)
1973 V. Sitaramiah Aralu Baralu (poetry)
1974 Gopalakrishna Adiga Vardhamaana (poetry)
1975 S. L. Bhyrappa Daatu (novel)
1975 L. Gundappa Translations from Tamil, Sanskrit to Kannada
1976 M. Shivaram Mana Manthana (psychiatric studies)
1977 K. S. Narasimhaswamy Tereda Baagilu (poetry)
1978 B. G. L. Swamy Hasuru Honnu (travelogue)
1979 A. N. Murthy Rao Chitragalu Patragalu
1980 Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Americadalli Goruru (travelogue)
1981 Chennaveera Kanavi Jeewa Dhwani (poetry)
1982 Chanduranga Vyshakha (novel)
1983
Yashwant Chittal
Katheyaadalu Hudugi (short stories)
1984 G. S. Shivarudrappa Kavyartha Chintana (literary criticism)
1985 T. R. Subba Rao Durgaasthamaana (novel)
1986 Vyasaraya Ballal Bandaaya (novel)
1987 K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi Chidambara Rahasya (novel)
1988 Shankar Mokashi Punekar Avadheshwari (novel)
1989 H. M. Nayak Samprati (belles lettres)
1990 Devanur Mahadeva Kusuma Bale (novel)
1991 Chandrashekhara Kambara Sirisampige (play)
1992
Subbanna Ekkundi
Bakulada Hoovugalu (poetry)
1993 P. Lankesh Kallu Karaguva Samaya (short stories)
1994
Girish Raghunath Karnad
Tale Danda (play)
1995 Kirtinath Kurtkoti Uriya Nalage (criticism)
1996 G. S. Amur Bhuvanada Bhagya (literary criticism)
1997 M. Chidananda Murthy Hosatu Hosatu (criticism)
1998 B.C. Ramchandra Sharma Sapthapadi (poetry)
1999 D. R. Nagaraj Sahitya Kathana (essays)
2000 Shantinath Kuberappa Desai Om Namo (novel)
2001 L. S. Sheshagiri Rao English Sahitya Charitre (literary history)
2002 Sujana (S. Narayana Shetty) Yugasandhya (epic)
2003 K. V. Subbanna Kaviraja Marga Mattu Kannada, Jagattu (essays)
2004 Geetha Nagabhushana Baduku (novel)
2005 Raghavendra Patil Teru (novel)

Kendra Sahitya Academy Awardees (translation)

2005 Dr. Panchakshari Hiremath, Urdu to Kannada
Saraswati Samman Awardee
S. L. Bhyrappa

Other eminent writers

Panje Mangesh Rao
De. Javare Gowda
Annadanayya Puranik – Vachanas, Law, Shiva Sharana literature
Siddayya Puranik – Vachanas, Shiva Sharana literature
Chandrika Puranik – Shiva Sharana literature
Udaya Shankar Puranik – science and technology, columnist
Haldoderi Sudhindra – columnist
Pandit Kallinath Shastri Puranik – 12 Puranas and Ayurveda
Basavaraj Puranik – Shiva Sharana literature
Samethanahalli Rama Rao (Raasa)
Anupama Niranjana
B. M. Srikanthaiah (B. M. Sri)
Dr. A. N. Krishna Rao (Anakru)
G. P. Rajarathnam
G. B. Joshi (JadaBharata)
M Govinda Pai
M. V. Seetaramiah
Nisar Ahmed K. S.
P. Lankesh
Dr. Panchakshari Hiremath
SAADHANE-RajguruGuruswamiKalikeri (Poetry, research, legends, biographies and lyrics)
S. V. Parameshwara Bhatta
T. P. Kailasam – drama
Tha. Ra. Subbarao
Thee. Nam. Shree
R. K. Narayan, author
R. K. Laxman, cartoonist & humorist
Kamala Markhandaya
Triveni (Sharapanjara), novelist
G. P. Rajaratnam (Ratnana Padagalu)
Beechi – humorist
Dr M.Shivaram, Rashi – humorist
T. Sunandamma – humorist
H. L. Nage Gowda – folklorist
Go Ru Chennabsappa (Go Ru Cha) – Janapada Saahithya & Sharana Saahithya
Anakaru – novelist
M. Ramamurthy
K. V. Iyer
Devudu
Niranjana
Na. Kasturi
Navaratna Rama Rao
T. T. Sharma – journalism
VeeraKesari
Siddavanahalli Krishna Sharma
Hariharapriya
R. Kalyanamma
Tirumale Rajamma
Ambabai
H. V. Savitramma
H. S. Parvathi
Chi. Na. Mangala
H. R. Indira
M. K. Indira
P. V. Acharya Poet, Editor and writer
M. V. Kanakamma
Nirupama
N. Pankaja
Usha Navaratna Ram
Kakolu Saroja Rao
Anupama Niranjana
Vi. Seetharamiah, poet, critic
Basavaraja Kattimani
Nanjanagudu Tirumalamba (author)
Sundar V. Nadkarni, fiction writer and poet
Ta. Raa.Subba Rao, novelist
Veenaa Shantheshvara, short story writer
Vaidehi, short story writer
Sumangala, short story writer
Dr K. R. Sandhya Reddy, poet, story writer, folk literature
T. K. Venkatesh Prabhu – novelist & poet
A. N. Prahlada Rao Kannada crossword writer
Pratibha Nandakumar, poet
D. R. Nagraj, critic
K. V. Narayana, literary critic and linguist
B. C. Ramachandra Sharma, poet and fictionist
D.V.Guruprasad
Former police officer,columnist and writer.
Shanhinatha Desai, novelist, story writer
Kum. Veerabhadrappa, novelist, story writer
Gowri Lankesh, columnist
Vishweswara Bhat, columnist
Abdul Raheem Teekay, Writer^[1]
Ravi Hanj, columnist
B. V. Veerabhadrappa, columnist
Dr. N. Someswara, health writer
N. Narasimhaiah – detective novelist
A. N. Murthy Rao
Dr. S. R. Ramaswamy, journalist
Ba. Na. Sundara Rao, author and journalist
Shivarudraprasad, poet and columnist

Literature originating from Christian missionaries

Rev. John Garet (translated Bible, Bhagavadgita, Panchatantra, Shabda Manidarpana to Kannada)
Daniel Sanderson (translated Jaimini Bharata to English)
Thomas Hodson
Ellis Robert
Rev. B. L Rice
Edward Peter Rice