Origin and Evolution of the Kannada Language

Kannada is an ancient and rich language belonging to the Dravidian language family. It evolved from the Proto-Dravidian language, which was spoken in South India between approximately 2500 and 1500 BCE. Over time, Proto-Dravidian split into various branches, giving rise to languages such as Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Among these, Kannada and Tamil are particularly noted for their ancient inscriptions and literary heritage.

Historical Stages of Kannada:

Old Kannada (c. 450 – 1200 CE):
Used in inscriptions and early literature. Notable examples include the Halmidi inscription, dated around 450 CE, considered the earliest known Kannada inscription.
Middle Kannada (c. 1200 – 1700 CE):
Saw the evolution of literary style and greater Sanskrit influence.
Modern Kannada (from c. 1700 CE to the present):
Encompasses contemporary usage in literature, media, education, and daily communication.

Kannada Script:

The Kannada script evolved from the Brahmi script, and in ancient times it was referred to as "Halegannada" or "Old Kannada Script".

Controversy: Kamal Haasan's Statement

Recently, Tamil actor Kamal Haasan made a controversial statement suggesting that Kannada originated from Tamil, which sparked a major debate and backlash, particularly in Karnataka. Pro-Kannada groups and language scholars strongly refuted the claim. Tamil political figure Vaiko supported Haasan’s view, further intensifying the discussion.

However, linguists agree that both Kannada and Tamil independently evolved from the Proto-Dravidian language, and one did not originate from the other. While they share linguistic and cultural similarities due to their common roots, Kannada has a distinct phonetic system, grammar, and literary tradition separate from Tamil.