#Kannada Poetry

[stuffedeggplants]

A vachana by Akka Mahadevi, a 12th century Kannadiga ascetic and bhakti poet who devoted herself completely to Lord Shiva.

Translated by A.K. Ramanujan in Speaking of Siva.

[sivavakkiyar]

from I Keep Vigil Of Rudra, a translation and selection of Kannada vachanas by HS Shivaprakash

[sourabha]

Three poems

Three poems:One dedicated to granny who lived much of her life trying to make ends meet and still managed to raise her grandchildren to be the first graduates in the family; one on the idea of ‘God’; one on writing.

[desigrrrl]

— Gopalakrishna Adiga, Kupamanduka

[ilhoonftw]

swifties ruined the 'can song lyrics be considered poetry' discourse

[antharmukhi]

~

ತಿನ್ನುವ ಪ್ರತಿ ತುತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲೂ ಅವಳ ಕೈ ರುಚಿಯ ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತೇನೆ,

ಮಸಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಉರಿದು ಹೋದ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಅಡುಗೆ ಮನೆಗಳ ಕತ್ತಲ ಮೂಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲ ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತೇನೆ,

ಗೋಡೆಗಂಟಿದ ಯಾವುದೋ ಮಸಿ ಕಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವಳ ಕಿರುಬೆರಳ ಕನಸೊಂದು ಇನ್ನೂ

ಉಸಿರಾಡುತಿರಬಹುದೆಂದು!

ಅಮ್ಮಮ್ಮ ಎಂಬೋ ಅಶ್ವತ್ಥ//

[river-demon-slayer]

Blog Introduction

Name: Kira (but you can call me 'Kavi' or 'River').

Age: 21 years.

Country: India (specifically from Mumbai).

Pronouns: she/her.

Background in Studies: BA English Literature.

Current Course: MA English Language and Literature (I am currently studying in London).

Languages I speak: English, Hindi, Marathi, Sinhala.

Interests, Likes, and Hobbies: Love reading - from poetry and classic literature to manga and comics and everything in between, Kpop, Anime, Mystery-thrillers, Psychological-thrillers, True Crime Documentaries or Podcasts, Learning Languages, Sleeping, Travelling, Academic Validation.

Goals: 1) Do better in my course

2) Work on my Research Proposal and Dissertation

3) Consistently practice and become fluent in Target languages (Sinhala - learn to read and write it, Korean, Japanese, German, Kannada, Malayalam, Latin).

4) Do workouts and stretches regularly.

5) Improve mental health and gain confidence in my skills and abilities

What you can expect from this blog: I won't be posting regularly, just whenever I feel like I have something worth sharing. For the most part, it will be a studyblog but I will also post anything that comes to my mind and you can't do anything about it. I am always open to being mutuals so feel free to follow or message me❤️❤️❤️.

[mohit34434543]

culture of India

India, often referred to as the land of diversity, is a cultural kaleidoscope that has fascinated and enchanted people from across the globe for centuries. Its rich heritage, traditions, languages, art forms, and cuisines reflect a civilization that has evolved over millennia, leaving an indelible mark on the world. In this blog, we embark on a journey to unravel the multifaceted culture ,culture of India delving into its historical roots, religious practices, artistic expressions, and modern-day manifestations.

Historical Background:

The cultural history of India can be traced back to ancient times, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Stone Age. The subcontinent has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous civilizations, including the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 3300 BCE. Subsequent waves of migration and settlement by various ethnic groups, including Aryans, Dravidians, Greeks, Persians, and Mongols, contributed to the diversity of India's cultural landscape.

Religious Diversity:

India is the birthplace of major religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and has also been a melting pot of diverse faiths, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. The religious tolerance and syncretism prevalent in India have resulted in a vibrant tapestry of rituals, festivals, and spiritual practices that coexist harmoniously. From the grand celebrations of Diwali and Eid to the solemnity of Buddhist retreats and Sikh gurdwaras, religion permeates every aspect of Indian life, shaping its customs, beliefs, and social structures.

Art and Architecture:

Indian art and architecture are renowned for their intricacy, symbolism, and spiritual significance. The ancient rock-cut temples of Ajanta and Ellora, the majestic forts and palaces of Rajasthan, and the exquisite carvings of temples in Khajuraho are testaments to India's rich architectural heritage. The country's artistic traditions encompass a wide array of mediums, including painting, sculpture, pottery, textiles, and performing arts such as dance, music, and theater. Classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Kuchipudi, with their roots in mythology and spirituality, continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their grace and elegance.

Cuisien:

Indian cuisine is as diverse as its culture, with each region boasting its own unique flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques. From the fiery curries of the south to the aromatic biryanis of the north, Indian food is a gastronomic delight that tantalizes the taste buds with its rich spices and bold flavors. Staples like rice, wheat, lentils, and vegetables form the foundation of Indian meals, which are often accompanied by chutneys, pickles, and dairy products like yogurt and paneer. Street food is also a ubiquitous part of Indian culinary

culture, offering a tantalizing array of snacks and sweets that cater to every palate.

Literature and Language:

India has a rich literary tradition dating back thousands of years, with ancient texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata shaping the cultural consciousness of the nation. Sanskrit, the classical language of ancient India, has been the vehicle for some of the world's most profound philosophical and literary works. Over the centuries, regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi have flourished, producing a wealth of literature in poetry, prose, and drama. The Indian diaspora has also made significant contributions to world literature, with writers like Salman Rushdie, Arundhati Roy, and Jhumpa Lahiri garnering international acclaim for their works.

Modern Cultural Expressions:

While India's cultural heritage is deeply rooted in tradition and history, it is also a dynamic and evolving entity that continues to adapt and innovate in response to changing times. The advent of globalization, urbanization, and technology has ushered in new forms of cultural expression, from Bollywood films and indie music to contemporary art and fashion. Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube have provided a platform for young Indian artists, musicians, and influencers to showcase their talents and connect with audiences around the world. Despite the challenges of modernization, India remains proud of its cultural heritage, embracing both tradition and innovation in equal measure.

Conclusion: India's cultural tapestry is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and diversity of its people. Across the length and breadth of the subcontinent, from the snow-capped Himalayas to the sun-drenched beaches of Kerala, the spirit of India's cultural heritage continues to thrive, enriching the lives of millions and inspiring generations to come. As we celebrate the vibrant mosaic of traditions, languages, and customs that make up the fabric of Indian society, let us also recognize the importance of preserving and safeguarding this invaluable legacy for future generations to cherish and embrace.

[burlveneer-music]

MD Pallavi & Andi Otto - Songs for Broken Ships - India/Germany collaboration that is also a contender for world fusion album of the year

MD Pallavi & Andi Otto first crossed paths on a theatre stage in India ten years ago. They started collaborating instantly and in 2016 MD Pallavi's mesmerizing vocals for the downtempo raga Bangalore Whispers warmed hearts and ears. Their musical relationship flourished with artistic residencies in Bangalore and Hamburg, their respective hometowns, and a concert tour in Japan. The album presents an interwoven pop-aesthetic vision of the two artists with their contrasting musical backgrounds. It ranges from organically woven folktronica to cut-up disco tracks and acoustic ballads. MD Pallavi is a singer, actress, filmmaker and performer from Bangalore, South-India, where she trained in Hindustani music and poetry since childhood. On Songs for Broken Ships, poems in her native tongue Kannada*, one of India's many languages, are performed over Andi’s alluring production, translating the stories into musical narratives. The poems address topics that are as timeless as the music itself. Social equality is touched upon in Bayalu (written by Bontadevi in the 12th century). Artistic struggles - communicated on An Unwritten Word (Gangadhar Chittala, 1865) - are almost prophetic and the surreal, dreamlike scenario of Clockshop (KS Narasimhaswamy,1958) brings you further inside the sonic journey. Andi Otto is a composer, cellist and DJ based in Hamburg, Germany, He is known for his idiosyncratic and unconventional dance music productions on labels such as Multi Culti, Shika Shika and Pingipung (which he co-runs and curates). For this collaborative experience his dubbed out basslines gently interlock with the 7/4 and 5/4 beats to create a backbone for the instrumentation and expressive vocal timbres of MD Pallavi. His sound design combines graceful acoustic recordings, juxtaposed against modern drum machines, computer generated noise and vintage synthesizers. All songs written and composed by MD Pallavi and Andi Otto in Bangalore and Hamburg, 2018-2023 MD Pallavi: Vocals, percussion Andi Otto: Electronics, cello, table harp, pipe organ, percussion, steeldrum, PPG 1020 Additional percussion on “An Unwritten Word”, “Prayer to the Cloud” and “Look Again” (digital bonus) by Manuel Chittka Ambient sound design on “An Unwritten Word” by Leo Hofmann Cover photo: Port of Nouadhibou, Mauritania by Kevin McElvaney

[fiercynn]

queer short film: "the kinnaras of the dark world"

queer short cuts is a biweekly newsletter where i share queer & trans short film recommendations. i’m featuring some of my favorite films on tumblr because why not

india | 5 minutes | 2018 | experimental film/visual poetry/dance film

audio in kannada; english subtitles embedded

the kinnaras of the dark world is a beautiful visual poem and dance video by trans performer, poet, journalist, radio jockey, and activist shilok mukkati. the poem depicts the harm and ostracization shilok has faced for being transfeminine and kinnar, a self-adopted term for third gender folks in certain parts of india; the name kinnara comes from a mythological creature in hinduism and buddhism that is strongly associated with music and love. but despite the pain of enduring oppression, being kinnar is also freedom for shilok, helping her rise and claim her own power. - deepa's full review, including content notes at the end

watch on vimeo, and find creator shilok mukkati on instagram!

[stuffedeggplants]

Hi,

I'm Suhas, one of the authors of How to Love in Sanskrit. Thanks for sharing the extract from our book and we're really delighted that so many people liked it :) Also really happy to see your in-depth analysis of the verse and screenshots from other translations. The book should be out on Amazon US by April as well, so excited to see so much interest.

Hi Suhas! And hello to Anusha too! :)

I'm very glad that your approach to translation and the translations themselves are so widely appreciated here! They say professionals make things look easy, and if I may say so merely as an interested layperson with no education in Sanskrit, you two have done a wonderful job communicating (with freshness and vibrancy) sringara rasa for modern readers experiencing this poetry through English. I loved your selections--I've bookmarked several couplets to return to--and have found some more works I'd love to read through the footnotes, like Sringaraprakasha and Kuvalayamala. I might be slightly obsessed with looking into those bits of 18 languages actually spoken on the street thirteen hundred years ago. (!!!)

I also appreciated the part at the beginning where you explain some things to be mindful of for unfamiliar/non-professional readers, things like how some of these couplets from a female perspective were actually written by male court poets intentionally writing women speaking Maharashtri Prakrit for reasons of love and sweetness while male characters may have spoken Sanskrit, etc.

Anyway, I really appreciate the scholarship that went into your book and hope it does very well, and I think it's all the better for you two having access to multiple literary traditions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Kannada, and English. :)

[sivavakkiyar]

I’ve noted this before but Ramanujan’s original poetry in Kannada is very interesting because I don’t think he’s typically associated with that language but he’s much more direct there—-esp politically

[sourabha]

166th Kannada poem filmed at Altare della Patria (Vittoriano) in Roma, Italia

Always fun to take Kannada poetry beyond the borders of Karnataka! This poem is about a horse, by S. Manjunath, a man who died young, a man through whom a lot more poetry would have happened to us were he alive for a few more years. His free verse is so magnificent that in its depth and wonder that it can move purists of poetry who rant about strict metres, to silence. Our small tribute to a…

[seavoice]

i do kind of resent having to compulsorily study kannada lit this sem (i did not take a course that has anything to do with kannada lit!) but the syllabus has so much of dalit poetry it's really great. AMAZING shift from the super casteist syllabus we had in high school lmao

[damayantia]

welcome DAMAYANTI ‘DAMIATA’ SIVASANKAR. you hail from VIJAYANAGARA and have been risen to the position of a COURTESAN. you are a member of the house of COLONNA and will go down in history as the MUSE. though you are CONDESCENDING & CALLOUS, you are blessed with being BEGUILING and DISCERNING.

links.  character  study  /  playlist  /  pinterest  /  threads

━━ BASIC INFO.

NAME:  damayanti  sivasankar  NICKNAME:  damiata,  dami  AGE:  thirty-eight  PLACE OF BIRTH:  vijayanagara  IMPERIUM:  rome  GENDER:  cisgender  woman  PRONOUNS:  she/her  ORIENTATION:  bisexual  RELIGION:  shaivism  PARENTS:  sivasankar  vikramaditya  &  bhima devi  SIBLINGS  one  brother  LANGUAGES:  tamil,  telugu,  kannada,  portuguese,  latin  (  fluent  )    urdu,  italian,  french,  arabic  (  conversational  )    english,  mandarin  (  learning  )    spanish  (  reliant on intelligibility from the other romance languages  )    sanskrit,  hindi  (  childhood’s  forgotten  tongues  )  EDUCATION:  private  tutoring  TITLE:  courtesan  INTERESTS:  martial  arts,  poetry,  natural  philosophy,  fine  art   HOBBIES:  swordplay,  archery,  hunting,  singing  LABEL  the  muse

━━ PERSONALITY.

mbti. entp-a  enneagram. 3w2,  the  enchanter  instinct. sx/so  character inspo.  helen,  the  iliad  /  daenerys  targaryen,  a  song  of  ice  and  fire  /  kaeya,  genshin  impact  /  dazai  osamu,  bungou  stray  dogs  /  serval,  honkai:  star  rail

beguiling,  discerning,  mellifluous,  determined

condescending,  callous,  ruthless,  deceptive

━━ SNAPSHOT.

character  study  TBD

known    most    everywhere    through  her  perhaps-scandalous  links  with  the  de  facto  ruler  of  rome,    damayanti    —    also  known  as  damiata    —    is  a  figure  who  confounds  understanding:    a  non-believer  reigning  as  the  queen  of  beauty  in  the  eternal  city,    whose  visage  has  been  writ  by  many  a  roman  artist  in  their  canvas.    she  is  charming  and  witty,    yet  all  her  intelligence  seems  to  be  geared  towards  ensuring  immortality  of  her  fair  form.    she  plays  at  expectations  and  makes  the  crowd  part  of  her    —    not  make  herself  part  of  the  crowd,    which  is  a  very  subtle  yet  important  distinction.    she  could  revel  with  the  drunkards  at  the  taverns  yet  converse  ever  so  delightfully  with  the  bluebloods  in  their  chateaus  and  fortifications.  in  short:    a  woman  of  any  occasion,    or  perhaps  a  woman  of  many  masks.

in    truth,      her  reservation  about  her  past  is  less  a  thing  cultivated  to  incite  curiosity  and  more  just  a  natural  reaction  to  the  plight  that  her  family  experienced  when  she  was  young,    fleeing  another  country  simply  because  they  gambled  wrongly.    she  is  perceptive  yet  deceptive  but  also  endlessly  indecisive:    she  charms  people  to  know  their  secrets,    yet  does  almost  next-to-nothing  with  them,    preferring  to  keep  it  to  herself  to  the  point  of  seeming  fruitlessness.    what’s  important  to  her,    however,    is  that  she  knows  others  yet  others  don’t  know  her:    a  guardedness  borne  from  exile.

━━ TIMELINE.

1392.  a son is born to bhima devi and sivasankar,  the former a renowned poetess and the latter a court adviser in the employ of emperor harihara ii of vijayanagara. 

1394.  damayanti is born to sivasankar and bhima devi.  in the same year,  a portuguese merchant settles in vijayanagara.  he is quickly contracted under the sivasankar household as a languages tutor for the children.  damayanti is educated alongside her brother.

1405.  the death of harihara ii paves the way for virupaksha raya’s accession to the royal throne of vijayanagara.  however,  with the succession disputed by his other brothers,  his reign is short-lived.  virupaksha is eventually murdered by his sons.  having been in the employ of the murdered king,  the sivasankar family looks as if they might share their lord’s fate.  however,  their tutor arranges passage for them alongside him back to portugal.

1406.  having arrived in portugal, the sivasankar household experiences a difficult start in establishing themselves. they sell off their treasured possessions — whatever few they can smuggle with their escape — and begin attempts for a burgeoning mercantile trade, specialising in goods exported from the east.

1413.  with the family having found its footing after many long years,  damayanti takes after her erstwhile tutor and takes up travelling.

142?.  eventually,  she settles in italy.

1432.  she arrives at the court of king charles of france as julius’ courtesan.

━━ PLOTS.

mercantile  links  through  her  family’s  trading  empire,    courts  she  may  have  visited  in  her  travels,    husbands  whose  wives  she’s  slept  with,    wives  who  she’s  seduced,    artists  and  poets  and  other  creatives  she  enamoured,    philosophers  she  discoursed  with,    a  person  she  might  have  unwittingly  insulted,    people  she’s  outraged  over  her  ‘artist’s  passions,’    etc.

[pooma-education]

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢

𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗮𝘃𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗟 𝗣, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘕 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦.

Kanakadasa Jayanti commemorates the life and teachings of Kanakadasa, a revered 16th-century saint, philosopher, poet, and social reformer from Karnataka. Celebrated annually in Karnataka, the event offers profound lessons on equality, devotion, and the power of knowledge. Reflecting on his life and teachings yields several invaluable insights:

1.Equality and Social Harmony:

Kanakadasa strongly advocated for equality and unity across caste and creed. Despite being born into a lower caste, he rose to prominence through his wisdom and devotion. His works emphasize the futility of caste-based discrimination and underscore the importance of seeing divinity in all beings. His famous hymn, "Kula Kula Kulavendu Hodedadadiri," questions the relevance of caste in spiritual growth and encourages harmonious living.

2.The Value of Devotion and Inner Purity:

Kanakadasa was a devoted disciple of Lord Krishna and believed that true spirituality stems from sincerity and inner purity rather than external rituals. His compositions often highlight the transformative power of faith and devotion, which transcend materialistic boundaries.

3..The Power of Education and Wisdom:

Through his literary contributions, Kanakadasa illustrated that knowledge has the potential to enlighten and empower individuals. His poetry, written in simple Kannada, made complex philosophical ideas accessible to common people, inspiring them to seek wisdom and truth.

4.Resilience in Adversity:

Kanakadasa faced social rejection and discrimination due to his caste but never wavered in his principles or devotion. His resilience and ability to channel adversity into creative and spiritual growth serve as a lesson in perseverance and self-belief.

5.Universal Accessibility of Spirituality:

Kanakadasa’s teachings and works convey that spirituality is not confined to any specific group but is universally accessible. The story of the Kanakana Kindi (a small window in the Udupi Krishna temple) symbolizes his devotion and reminds us that true devotion is always recognized by the divine.

Kanakadasa Jayanti is a day to remember these teachings and strive to embody them in daily life. By promoting equality, inner devotion, and continuous learning, Kanakadasa’s legacy inspires individuals to foster a just, inclusive, and spiritually enriched society. This celebration is not just a tribute to a historical figure but a reminder of the timeless values that continue to guide humanity.