List of epics in the Kannada language

This is a list of available epics in the Kannada language (also called purana, in prose or poem), a South Indian language. Based on his research, the Kannada scholar L.S. Sheshagiri Rao claims that starting with the earliest available epic Adipurana by Pampa (939 C.E), Kannada writers have created a rich and active epic tradition. S.S. Bhusanurematha's Bhavyamanava (1983) is the latest in that tradition.Rao in Datta (1988), pp1180-1183, chapter-Epic(Kannada) Based on medieval Kannada literary sources, the Indologist Anthony Warder claims there were Kannada versions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata prior to 941 C.E., and Kavya (or Mahakavya, epic poems) such as Karnataka Kumarasambhava by Asaga (c. 850).Warder (1988), p240, pp247-248 According to the Kannada scholar R. Narasimhacharya, Chandraprabhapurana by Sri Vijaya, (court poet of King Amoghavarsha I) dates to the early 9th century. This list is by no means exhaustive. In addition to the epics listed here, there are numerous epics written 'in part' (called khanda or mahatmaya) starting with the part rendering of the Skanda-purana by Kumarapadmarasa in c. 1180.Parameshwaranand (2001), vol 4 (M-R), pp1059-1074, p1061 According to Rao,

The list + Famous epics in the Kannada language Faith Epic Author Year (A.D.) PatronJainismAdipuranaNarasimhacharya (1988), p18Sastri (1955), p356Rao in Datta (1988), p1180, chapter-Epic(Kannada) Adikavi Pampa 939 Rashtrakuta EmpireSecular Vikramarjuna Vijaya (Pampa Bharatha) Adikavi Pampa 941 Rashtrakuta EmpireJainism ShantipuranaSastri (1955), p356Mukherjee (1999), p291 Sri Ponna 950 Rashtrakuta EmpireJainism TrisastilaksanamahapuranaParameshwaranand (2001), p674, vol3 (I-L) Chamundaraya 978 Western Ganga DynastyJainism AjitapuranaSastri (1955), p356 Ranna 993 Western Chalukya EmpireSecular Saahasabhima Vijaya (Gadayuddha) Ranna 1000 Western Chalukya EmpireJainism VaradhamanapuranaPollock (2006), p. 340, p. 349Nagaraj (2003), p. 327 Nagavarma II 1042 Western Chalukya EmpireJainism MallinathapuranaSastri (1955), pp357–358Narasimhacharya (1988), p19 Nagachandra 1105 Hoysala EmpireJainism Ramachandracharitapurana Nagachandra 1105 Hoysala EmpireShaivism GirijakalyanaRao in Datta (1988), p1181, chapter-Epic(Kannada)Sastri (1955), pp361–362Narasimhacharya, (1988), p20 Harihara 1160 Hoysala EmpireJainism NeminathapuranaSastri (1955), p358 Nemichandra 1170 Hoysala EmpireVaishnavism JagannathavijayaSastri (1955), p364 Rudrabhatta 1180 Hoysala EmpireJainism ChandraprabhapuranaRice, E.P. (1921), p43 Aggala 1189 Hoysala EmpireJainism Varadhamanapurana Achanna 1195 Yadavas of DevagiriJainism YashodharachariteSastri (1955), pp358–359 Janna 1209 Hoysala EmpireSecular HarishchandrakavyaSastri (1955), p362 Raghavanka 1220 Hoysala EmpireShaivism SiddharamapuranaRice E.P. (1921), pp60-61 Raghavanka 1220 Hoysala EmpireShaivism SomanathachariteShiva Prakash (1997), p. 207 Raghavanka 13th century Hoysala EmpireShaivism Viresvara Charita Raghavanka 13th century Hoysala EmpireJainism AnanthanathapuranaSastri (1955), p359 Janna 1230 Hoysala EmpireJainism PushpadantapuranaMukherjee (1999), p301 Gunavarma II 1235 Hoysala EmpireJainism SantisvarapuranaKamath (1980), pp143-144 Kamalabhava 1235 Yadavas of DevagiriJainism NeminathapuranaJoseph P.M. (1997), Jainism in South India, p260, Mahabalakavi 1254 Hoysala EmpireJainism Kumudendu RamayanaMoily (2010), p4, introduction Kumudendu 1275 Hoysala EmpireJainism Purvapurana (Adipurana)Singh (2001), p. 975Rocher Ludo, History of Indian Literature-The Puranas, vol 2, p76, Otto Harrassowitz Verlag, 1986 Hastimalla 13th century Hoysala EmpireShaivism BasavapuranaSastri (1955), p362Narasimhacharya (1988), p21Rao in Datta (1988), p1182, chapter-Epic(Kannada) Bhima Kavi 1369 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism DharmanathapuranaRice E.P.(1921), p.46Sastri (1955), p360 Madhura 1385 Vijayanagara EmpireSecular Padmaraja puranaNarasimhacharya (1988), p.21Kotraiah in Sinaoli (2003), p131 Padmananka1385 Vijayanagara EmpireVaishnavism Gadugina Bharata (Kumaravyasa Bharata)Sastri (1955), p364Narasimhacharya (1988), p22 Kumaravyasa, Timmanna Kavi 1425, 1510 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism PrabhulingaleeleSastri (1955), p363 Chamarasa 1425 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Singirajapurana (Mala-Basavarajacharita) Singiraja 1500 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Saundara puranaNarasimacharya (1988), p22Puranik in Mohan Lal (1992), p4003 Bommarasa 15th century Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Revanasiddhesvara PuranaRice E.P. (1921), p69Chaturmukha Bommarasa 1500 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Trisashti puratanara charite (Lingapurana)Parameshwaranand (2001), Volume 4 (M-R), p1063 Surangakavi 1500 Vijayanagara EmpireVaishnavism Torave RamayanaRichman (2008), p17Sastri (1955), p365 Kumara Valmiki (Narahari) 1500 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism Nemi-Jinesa puranaSharma, Sita Ram (1992), p17, Encyclopaedia of teaching languages in India, New Delhi : Anmol Publications Manjarasa III 1508 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism Shantinathapurana Santikirti 1519 Vijayanagara EmpireVaishnavism Bhagavatha puranaRice (1921), p79Parmeshwaranand (2001), Volume 4 (M-R), p1064 Chatu Vitthalanatha 1520 Vijayanagara EmpireSecular Ramanatha Charite (Kumararama Charite) Nanjunda Kavi 1525 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism VirasaivamritapuranaPuranic, Siddya in Mohan Lal (1992), p4004 Mallanarya of Gubbi 1530 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Mahadevi Akkanapurana Chennabasavanka 16th century Vijayanagara EmpireJainism Salva BharataShiva Prakash in Ayyappapanicker (1997), p212Rice E.P. (1921), p47 Salva 1550 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism Ramavijayacharitra Devappa Kavi 1550 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism ChandraprabhapuranaJoseph P.M. (1997), Jainism in South India, p287, Doddayya 1550 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism Bharatesha VaibhavaSastri (1955), p360Narasimhacharya (1988), p23 Ratnakaravarni 1557 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Siddhesvarapurana Virakta Tontadarya 1560 Vijayanagara EmpireJainism Chandraprabhapurana Doddananka 1578 Vijayanagara EmpireShaivism Channabasavapurana Virupaksha Pandita 1584 Vijayanagara EmpireVaishnavism Chamarajokti Vilasa(Ramayana)Parameshwaranand (2001), Volume 4 (M-R), p1060Kamath (1980), p227 King Chamaraja Wodeyar V 1617-1637 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Advita RamayanaKrishnamoorthy & Mukhopadhyay (1991), p96 Nijagunarya 1650 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism BhagavatgitaPuranik in Mohan Lal (1992), p4004Mukherjee (1999), p.165Narasimhacharya (1988), p. 24 Nagarasa of Pandharpur 1650 Vaishnavism Markandeya RamayanaI M Muthanna (1977), p216, Karnataka, history, administration & culture, Bangalore, Lotus Printers Timmarasa 1650 Mysore KingdomSecular Rajashekara VilasaNarasimhacharya (1988), p24Rice E.P. (1921), p84 Shadaksharadeva 1655 Mysore KingdomShaivism Basavarajavijaya (Vrishabhendra Vijaya) Shadaksharadeva 1671 Mysore KingdomShaivism Shabarashankara VilasaYaravintelimath in Mohan Lal (1992), p3934Sahitya Akademi (1987), p.620 Shadaksharadeva 1671 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism VishnupuranaParameshwaranand (2001), Volume 4 (M-R), p1061Rice E.P. (1921), p91 Chikkaupadhyaya 1672 Mysore KingdomJainism Ramachandra CharitreRice E.P. (1921), p93 Chandrashekara, Padmanabha 1700 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Jaiminibharata Lakshmisha 1700 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Ramabhyudaya-KathakusumamanjariKrishnamoorthy & Mukhopadhyay (1991), p97 Timmamatya (Timmarya) 1700 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism BharataRice E.P. (1921), p92Narasimhacharya (1988), p25 Lakshmakavi 1728 Mysore KingdomShaivism Lingapurana Kalale Nanjaraja 1732 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism RamayanaBrockington (1998), p501Krishnamoorthy & Mukhopadhyay (1991), p98 Venkamatya 1770 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Kaushika RamayanaAshton and Christie (1977), p27 Bathaleshvara 1770 Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Shankara RamayanaŚrīhari, Caurirācan̲, Gōpālakrṣṇa (2003), p245, chapter-Ramayanas in Kannada literature Timmanna 18th century Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Adhyatma Ramayana Shankaranarayana 18th century Mysore KingdomVaishnavism Mulabala Ramayana Haridasa 18th century Mysore KingdomJainism JinaramayanaKrishnamoorthy & Mukhopadhyay (1991), p92 Chandrasagaravarni 1810 Princely MysoreJainism RamakathavataraNarasimhacharya (1988), p26Sinha (2013), p186 Devachandra ~1838 Princely MysoreSecular Sangoli Rayana Dange (folk)Murthy in K.M. George (1992), pp168Prashad (2001), page xiii, chapter-Kannada folk epics, a profile John Faithfull Fleet 1874 Bombay PresidencyVaishnavism Adbhuta Ramayana (prose)Murthy in K.M. George (1992), pp170Krishnamoorthy & Mukhopadhyay (1991), p94 Muddanna 1885 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Shri Ramashwamedha(prose)Moily (2010), p5, introductionMurthy in K.M. George (1992), p170 Muddanna 1896 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Mahabharata (prose)Krishnamoorthy in Amaresh Datta (1987), p37 Alasingrachar 1912 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Ramayana (prose)Krishnamoorthy in Amaresh Datta (1987), p39 Alasingrachar 1912 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Mahabharata (prose) V.K.Galaganatha 1933 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Sri Ramayana DarshanamMurthy in K.M. George (1992), p174 Kuvempu 1949 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Vachanabharata (prose)Krishnamoorthy in Amaresh Datta (1987), p38 A.R.Krishnashastry 1950 Princely MysoreVaishnavism Ramayana (prose) V. Sitaram Shastri 1960 Mysore state, IndiaVaishnavism Ramavatara (prose) S. Krishna Sharma 1965 Mysore state, IndiaVaishnavism SriramapattabhishekaMurthy in K.M. George (1992), p178 Masti Venkatesha Iyengar 1972 Mysore state, IndiaSecular Bharatasindhu rashmiRao in Datta (1988), p1183, chapter-Epic(Kannada)K.M. George (1992), p672 V.K. Gokak 1982 Karnataka state, IndiaSecular Bhavyamanava S.S.Bhusanurematha 1983 Karnataka state, India + Extinct epics in the Kannada language known from quotes and references by later writers Faith Epic Author Year PatronJainismChandraprabhapuranaNarasimhacharya (1988), pp.17-18 Srivijaya early 9th century Rashtrakuta EmpireJainismKarnata KumarasambhavaDash & Pattanaik in Paul St-Pierre & Prafulla C. Kar, (2007), p.167Warder A.K. (1988), p.241Sahitya Akademi (1987), pp618-619 Asaga 853 Rashtrakuta EmpireJainismHarivamsha (Neminathapurana)Warder A.K. (1988), p240Rice E.P. (1921), p30 Gunavarma I 900 Western Ganga DynastyJainismShudrakaWarder A.K. (1988), p240Rice E.P. (1921), p30 Gunavarma I 900 Western Ganga DynastySecular Bhuvanaika-Ramabhyudaya (Ramakatha)Garg (1992), p67 Sri Ponna 950 Rashtrakuta EmpireJainism Parasurama CharitaKamath (1980), p114 Ranna 980-990 Western Ganga DynastyJainism Chakreshvara CharitaKamath (1980), p45 Ranna 980-990 Western Ganga DynastyJainism ShantinathaPuranaRanna 980-990 Western Ganga DynastyShaivism Hariharamahatva Raghavanka early 13th century Hoysala EmpireShaivism Sharabacharite Raghavanka early 13th century Hoysala Empire

See also Lists of Manipuri epics

Notes

References