HARISHCHANDRA KAVYAM
- ಹರಿಶ್ಚಂದ್ರಕಾವ್ಯಂ
- harishchandrakAvyam
- The Epic Story of Harishchandra
- rAGavAnka (Raghavanka)
- 1225 A.D. (13th Century)
- Hampi in Bellary district
- Veerashaiva
- Devaraja of Hampi, Visited Prataparudradeva
of Varangal
- Ubhayakavi Kamalaravi
- Shatpadi Kavya
- Vardhaka Shatpadi (Occasional Ragale)
- Palmleaf and Manuscript
- 1898 A.D.
- Ramanuja Iyengar M.A.
- Karnataka Kavya Kalanidhi,
Mysore
- 1. Harishchandra Kavya
Sangraha T.S.Venkannaiah
and A.R.Krishnashastry, 1931, Mysore University, Mysore. 2. Harishchandra Kavya Ed. by N.Basavarahya
and Pandit Basappa,
1955 3. Harishchandra Kavyam
Ed. by Y.Nagesha Shastry
and M.G.Venkateshaiah, 1957, Department of
Kannada and Culture, Bangalore. 4. Raghavankana Samagra Kritigalu Kannada University, Hampi.
- Introduction: ‘Harishchandra Kavya’ by Raghavanka is one
of the most beloved classics of Kannada literature. It has been a part of
the Kannada psyche over the centuries all over Karnataka. It was dissiminated among the public through the ‘Gamaka’ tradition, a practice of reciting poetry in
public with explicatory comments by another person whenever necessary.
Kannada poetry could reach the illiterate people also through this device.
Later the mantle was taken up by the proponents of the professional
theatre and cinema who added their own dimensions to the original. The
theme of Harishchandra dates back to vedic times and ealiest references to it are found in many puranas. The story has evolved in a pluralistic manner
and it has undergone many transformations in the regional languages of India. twentieth century Kannda literature also contains many such instances.
(‘Satyayana Harischandra’ by P.T.Narasimhachar)Harishchandra
is caught on the horns of a dilemma right from the beginning. He has to
choose between truth(satya)
and his loyalty to Kula. (Caste) The ordeals he is forced to endure
because of a furious and persevering Vishvamitra
and his wiillingness to sacrifice the wellbeing
of his family and the citizens of his kingdom on the altar of truth
creates a deep sense of pathos. We are moved more by the plight of Chandramathi and Rohitashva
rather than the king himself. His confrontation with the outcast daughters
of Vishvamitra which is full of hair splitting arguements does not really make us empathise
with him. Even though the modern reader is aware of the fact that the poet
is on the side of Harishchandra his sympathies
lie on the other side of the fence. The sociopolitical issues apart, the
narration and the dramatic quality of the work is beyond dispute and Raghavanaka gives us a perfect blend of Sanskrit and medeival Kannada in this work. The portrayal
of the characters of Harishchandra, Vishvamitra, Chandramathi, Nakshatrka and Veerabahuka
have become a part of the Kannada culture. Certain incidents such
as the quarrel between Vashishta and Vishvamitra, The meeting of Harishchandra
and the out cast dauhters of Vishvamitra,
the relinquishing of the throne by Harishchandra,
the death of Rohitashva and the suffering of Chandramathi have lingerd in
the culture of Karnataka for more than eight centuries.
- References: 1. Harishchandra Kavya- Samskritika Mukhamukhi, Ed. Shivananda Viraktamath, Kannada University, Hampi 3. ‘Sathyasadhaka Harishchandra’,
Parisheelane, G.S.Shivarudrappa
4. Mahakavi Raghavanka,
Kavi Kavya Vimarshe by R.C. Hiremath,
1966, Sharadamandira, Mysore.
- Links
- Translations: 1. Raghavanka Trns by Narasimhamurthy K.
[Ancient Indian Literature volume 1, Ed. T.R.S. Sharma, Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, 2000
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