Title: Birhat Karnataka: Bhashika, Samskrutika
(Greater Karnataka: Linguistic, Cultural)
Author: Dr. M. Chidananda Murty
Publishers: Sapna Book House
Genre: Linguistic Research/Non-Fiction
Pages: 344+ (Paperback)
Source: Personal Copy
This is the book that should be read by every
Kannadiga out there. The book makes each Kannada speaking person proud of their
culture, language and their history. The amount of research that went into this
book is inexplicable. Dr. M. Chidananda Murthy, a great human being and a research scholar
has painstakingly compiled this book after doing years of research and
arranging it in a chronological order. I have always admired the author for his
stands on the various issues apart from his writings. He is one of the highly
respected personalities in Karnataka and in India.
Coming to the book, it is definitely not an easy read.
Reading a research book requires great deal of patience and an open mind to
accept the ideas put forth in the book. It is definitely not a fantasy tale. The
book mainly captures the greater Karnataka that existed before the Independence
of India and before the partition. As we go through the book, we will realize
that what a great culture that we belong to. It is also imperative that none of
the so called research scholars in present day have the zest to do this kind of
research on their language and culture.
Greater Karnataka, as we speak of today, is not the
Karnataka that we see in today’s map. It includes the whole part of
Maharashtra, parts of Andhra Pradesh (including the Telangana) and parts of
Tamil Nadu, Goa, and few parts from the Madhya Pradesh and to some extent
Gujarat. Author has presented his research facts point by point. Thereby,
giving us a clear picture of the boundaries of the greater Karnataka since 7th
Century CE. We will come across many examples ranging from the languages that
we use in present day Karnataka and the language that became an influence for the
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa etc… during yester years.
Quoting several language examples and the common words
that belongs to Kannada and how it became the inspiration for the other
languages to adopt Kannada and developed their own dialect and language is a
fascinating read. The main examples from the Telugu, Konkani, Tamil and Marathi
languages and how their origin of the language is greatly dependent on Kannada
is a must read from the book. Not only were the languages, even the cultural
beliefs and practices adopted from the Kannada speaking people in other states
is a true testimonial of how dominant was Kannada during those times. It is quite
clear from the book that, the southern parts of the India were greatly
influenced by Kannada language, cultural practices and beliefs.
The first part of the book mainly concentrates on the
research that author has done on the Maharashtra and the languages like Marathi
and Konkani and how these are originated. His research includes many myth
shattering events that present day Maharashtra or Goa people will not be able
to digest. The book also explores the caste influences on major communities
like Mahar, Danagar, etc… also the chief deities of Maharashtra like Tulaja
Bhavani, Khandoba, Kollapura Lakhsmi, Pandarapura Vithoba and how these gods have
the roots originating in Karnataka. The greatest personalities like Gnaneshwar,
Nannideva of Marathi origin have spoken extensively on the importance of
Karnataka and Kannada in their writings. Author also mentions the present day
tussles of Maharashtra and Karnataka on the border dispute. He also mentions
about the Mahajan Report that
studied and settled the border dispute and village sharing between Karnataka and
Maharashtra. Currently, this was challenged by the government of Maharashtra in
Supreme Court and the case is pending. These things can be read in greater
details in the book.
The 2nd part of the book speaks about the
epitaphs (Veeragallu and Masthigallu) of the Karnataka and the excavations
found in the depths of Maharashtra and other states. The story behind these
stones engravings is a treat to read from the book. Veeragallu is a stone
engraved in the memory of a male person that has sacrificed his life to his
King in the battles, in averting robbery and protecting their village or town.
The stones speak about the bravery of these persons. Whereas, Masthigallu stone
engravings belongs to the brave women that has sacrificed their lives for their
husbands or to their villages. Masthi is a condensed form of “Mahasathi” in
Sanskrit. Those days, following the Sathi system was not a compulsion, rather
it is a self declared practice. Women folks would enter the pit fire of their
dead husbands and self immolate them in order to prove their loyalty, chastity
and love towards their husbands.
The final part of the book is an important research
work that describes the influence of Kannada and Karnataka outside India. The
book speaks extensively on Nepal and how Nepal was ruled and preserved by the
Kings that has their roots in Karnataka. Author gives us an example of the
dynasties like “Jangam” and other such families that originated in Karnataka
and ruled Nepal for several centuries. As a mark of this, Author has given us
ample amount of stone engravings from different temples in Nepal that has
Kannada inscriptions on them. The chief priest of the Pashupatinath Temple of
Nepal is a southern Indian Brahmin that belongs to the Shankara math of
Southern India. This practice of appointing the chief priest from Southern India
has been running since the temple was built. The legend says that, a Brahman
from South India who conducted the proceedings of worshiping the Shiva during
one of the Kings tenure in Nepal and that’s the practice ever since.
Words are short to explain how important this book is.
There are many such research records that prove the influence of Karnataka and
Kannada pan India and outside India like Nepal. It is quite difficult to
include everything in this review. I would highly recommend every Kannadiga to
read this book at least once in their lifetime to feel proud of their language
and culture. Author’s anguish is evident in few pages, where he expresses his
concern regarding the non availability of the research scholars that can take
up this work and give a logical end, since, Kannada influence is literally
unlimited in India and rest of the world. I hope his wishes come true in
future.
My Rating:
5/5