Jinamanjari 1995 09 No 12

Author(s): Jinamanjari
Publisher: Canada Bramhi Jain Society Publication

Page 41

Prakrit Influence
on Kannada Literature Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah, Bangalore University, India
It is well known that the history of Kannada language and its literature owe a lot to Prakrit. Equally, it has played a fundamental and a very important role in the development of Kannada literature. These may however may be observed under four headings - language, literature, metre and Jain religion in Karnataka
Language: A linguistic analysis on historical lines clearly exhibits that as a result of the contact with Prakrit, certain phonetic and semantic changes have taken place. These changes may be found in the works of the early Kannada grammarians.
Literature: First stratum of Kannada literature is Prakrit.
Metre: A detailed and analytical study of Kannada prosodical principles reveals the tone and colour of Prakrit metres. In particular three forms of Kannada metres - ragale, kanda and sangatya are similar to Prakrit and the early Kannada poets have been influenced by Apabhramsa Kadavakas. The very conception of adiprasa and antya prasa in Kannada verses owes its allegiance to Prakrit kavyas. Poets in Kannada have used the words paddati, paddati as synonyms to ragale, a kind of Kannada metre, which shows Prakrit influence. Paddadia and other Prakrit variants such as paddika, pajjhadika, padditika, pajjhadia can be compared with Kannada forms, which shows their Prakrit source. The Kannada metre kanda has evolved on the model of Prakrit khandaya, khandaa whose Sanskrit form is skundaka. Similarly, Kannada sangatya metre is said to have derieved from Prakrit Sanghatta metre.
Jain Religion in Karnataka: It is well known that Jainism came from the north, where Prakrit had its home. Every Jain householder respectfully recites the prayers - pancanamokara mantra and Catarimangalam.
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