UPSC Kannada Syllabus

Candidates preparing for UPSC IAS exam must be aware that they are required to select an optional paper. Kannada is one such literature subject that can be selected by the candidates as optional paper. UPSC Kannada syllabus 2023 includes important topics like the history, literature development, etc related to this language. Complete details related to the syllabus can be found from this article. The UPSC Civil Services aspirants should carefully check the syllabus and prepare accordingly for the exam.

Kannada Syllabus for UPSC Exam

Knowledge regarding the syllabus is very important for preparation of any exam. The paper of Kannada has been divided into two papers- I and II. UPSC IAS aspirants can check the syllabus for both these papers from this post below. Candidates must note that all the answers should be written only in Kannada language.

Syllabus for Paper I

Section A

History of Kannada Language

  • Different Phases of its Development
  • What is Language?
  • General characteristics of Language Dravidian Family of Languages and its specific features
  • Dialects of Kannada Language: Regional and Social
  • Language borrowing
  • Antiquity of Kannada Language
  • Various aspects of developments of Kannada Language: Phonological and Semantic changes

History of Kannada Literature

  • Dasa literature: Purandara and Kanaka
  • Ancient Kannada literature: Influence and Trends
  • Vachana Literature: Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi
  • Poets for study: Specified poets from Pampa to Ratnakara Varni are to be studied in the light of contents, form and expression (Pampa, Janna, Nagachandra)
  • Medieval Kannada literature: Influence and Trends
  • Medieval Poets: Harihara, Raghavanka, Kumara-Vyasa
  • Sangataya: Ratnakarvarni

Modern Kannada literature

  • Influence, trends and ideologies, Navodaya, Pragatishila, Navya, Dalita and Bandaya

Section B

Poetics and Literary Criticism

  • Modern Trends of literary criticism: Formalist, Historical, Marxist, Feminist, Post-colonial criticism
  • Interpretations of Rasa Sutra
  • Definition and concepts of poetry; Word, Meaning, Alankara, Reeti, Rasa, Dhwani, Auchitya

Cultural History of Karnataka

  • Arts of Karnataka: Sculpture, Architecture, Painting, Music, Dance in the literary context
  • Contribution of Dynasties to the culture of Karnataka: Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, in literary context
  • Unification of Karnataka and its impact of Kannada literature
  • Major religions of Karnataka and their cultural contribution

Syllabus for Paper II

The Paper will require first-hand reading of the Texts prescribed and will be designed to test the critical ability of the candidates.

Section A

Old Kannada Literature

  • Vaddaraadhane (Sukumaraswamyia Kathe, Vidyutchorana Kathe)
  • Vikramaarjuna Vijaya of Pampa (Cantos 12 & 13), (Mysore University Pub.)

Medieval Kannada Literature

  • Nambiyannana Ragale, Ed., T.N. Sreekantaiah (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore)
  • Kumaravyasa Bharata: Karna Parva (Mysore University)
  • Vachana, Kammata, Ed. K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj (Bangalore University Pub.)
  • Janapriya Kanakasamputa, Ed. D. Javare Gowda (Kannada and Culture Directorate, Bangalore)
  • Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha Ed Ta. Su. Shama Rao (Mysore University)

Section B

Modern Kannada Literature

  • Vichara Sahitya: Devaru by A.N. Moorty Rao (Pub: D.V.K. Moorty, Mysore)
  • Poetry: Hosagannada Kavite, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Kannada Saahitya Parishattu, Bangalore)
  • Drama: Shudra Tapaswi by Kuvempu, Tughalak by Girish Karnad
  • Novel: Bettada Jeeva by Shivarama Karanta, Madhavi by Anupama Niranjana, Odalaala by Devanur Mahadeva
  • Short Story: Kannada Sanna Kathegalu, Ed. G.H. Nayak (Sahitya Academy, New Delhi)

Folk Literature:

  • Beedi Makkalu Beledo by Ed. Kalegowda Nagavara (Pub: Bangalore University)
  • Savirada Ogatugalu byEd. S.G. Imrapura
  • Janapada Swaroopa by Dr. H.M. Nayak. (Ta. Vem. Smaraka Grantha Male, Mysore)
  • Kannada Janapada Kathegalu by Ed. J.S. Paramashiviaah (Mysore University)
  • Janpada Geetaanjali by Ed. D. Javare Gowda.(Pub: Sahitya Academy, New Delhi)
Literature Kannada

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UPSC Syllabus

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