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Kannada Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025
Complete syllabus guide for Kannada Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.
Answers must be written in Kannada
Paper I
Section A
A. History of Kannada Language
- What is Language? General characteristics of Language
- Dravidian Family of Languages and its specific features
- Antiquity of Kannada Language
- Different phases of its Development
- Dialects of Kannada Language: Regional and Social
- Various aspects of developments of Kannada Language: phonological and Semantic changes
- Language borrowing
B. History of Kannada Literature
- Ancient Kannada literature: Influence and Trends
- 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
- Vachana Literature: Basavanna, Akka Mahadevi
- Medieval Poets: Harihara, Raghavanka, Kumara-Vyasa
- Dasa literature: Purandara and Kanaka
- Sangataya: Ratnakarvarni
C. Modern Kannada literature
- Influence, trends and ideologies
- Navodaya, Pragatishila, Navya, Dalita and Bandaya
Section B
A. Poetics and Literary Criticism
- Definition and concepts of poetry; Word, Meaning, Alankara, Reeti, Rasa, Dhwani, Auchitya
- Interpretations of Rasa Sutra
- Modern Trends of literary criticism: Formalist, Historical, Marxist, Feminist, Post-colonial criticism
B. Cultural History of Karnataka
- Contribution of Dynasties to the culture of Karnataka: Chalukyas of Badami and Kalyani, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara rulers, in literary context
- Major religions of Karnataka and their cultural contribution
- Arts of Karnataka; Sculpture, Architecture, Painting, Music, Dance—in the literary context
- Unification of Karnataka and its impact of Kannada literature
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
A. Old Kannada Literature
- 1. Vikramaarjuna Vijaya of Pampa (Cantos 12 & 13), (Mysore University Pub.)
- 2. Vaddaraadhane (Sukumaraswamyia Kathe, Vidyutchorana Kathe)
B. Medieval Kannada Literature
- 1. Vachana, Kammata, Ed. K. Marulasiddappa K.R. Nagaraj (Bangalore University Pub.)
- 2. Janapriya Kanakasamputa, Ed. D. Javare Gowda
- 3. Nambiyannana Ragale, Ed., T.N. Sreekantaiah
- 4. Kumaravyasa Bharata: Karna Parva (Mysore University)
- 5. Bharatesha Vaibhava Sangraha Ed Ta. Su. Shama Rao
Section B
A. Modern Kannada Literature
- 1. Poetry: Hosagannada Kavite, Ed. G.H. Nayak
- 2. Novel: Bettada Jeeva—Shivarama Karanta, Madhavi—Anupama Niranjana, Odalaala-Devanuru Mahadeva
- 3. Short Story: Kannada Sanna Kathegalu, Ed. G.H. Nayak
- 4. Drama: Shudra Tapaswi—Kuvempu, Tughalak—Girish Karnad
- 5. Vichara Sahitya: Devaru—A.N. Moorty Rao
B. Folk Literature
- 1. Janapada Swaroopa—Dr. H.M. Nayak
- 2. Janpada Geetaanjali—Ed. D. Javare Gowda
- 3. Kannada Janapada Kathegalu—Ed. J.S. Paramashiviaah
- 4. Beedi Makkalu Beledo. Ed. Kalegowda Nagavara
- 5. Savirada Ogatugalu—Ed. S.G. Imrapura
Recommended Study Resources
Books and Study Materials
- • Kannada Sahitya Charitre - R.S. Mugali
- • Kannada Sahitya Swaroopa - T.N. Sreekantaiah
- • Hosagannada Sahitya Charitre - L.S. Seshagiri Rao
- • Karnataka Samskruti Sameekshe - Dr. M.M. Kalburgi
Online Resources
- • Kannada Sahitya Parishat Digital Library
- • Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Resources
- • University of Mysore Kannada Studies Department Materials
Practice Materials
- • Previous Years' Question Papers (UPSC)
- • Model Answer Writing Practice Sets
- • Kannada Literature Study Guides and Notes