Raghavanka

Rāghavānka was a noted Kannada writer and a poet in the Hoysala court who lived in the 13th century CE. He is the nephew of the famous Śaiva poet Harihara through the latter's sister, Rudrāṇi. Raghavanka is credited for popularizing the use of the native shatpadi metre (hexa metre, 6 line verse) in Kannada literature. His work, the Harīścandra Kāvya, composed in ṣaṭpadi metre, is a telling of the life of King Harishchandra. It is a well known story, and is considered one of the important classics of Kannada language. He was a nephew and protégé of the noted Early 12-century Kannada poet Harihara. Although the shatpadi metre tradition existed in Kannada literature prior to Raghavanka, Raghavanka inspired the usage of the flexible metre for generations of poets, both Shaiva (devotees of God Shiva) and Vaishnava (devotees of God Vishnu) to come.

Writings Harishchandra Kavya Siddharama charitra Somanatha charitra Viresvara charita Hariharamahatva Sarabha charitra

Although Harishchandra Kavya (c. 1200 or c. 1225) is Raghavanka's magnum opus, it was rejected by his guru, poet Harihara (or Harisvara). In some ways, Raghavanka's writing surpasses his guru's talent, especially in describing characters in his story. According to another source, Raghavanka's guru physically abused him, punishing him for wasting his poetic talent in eulogising a mere mortal. These five writings are the Siddharama charitra (or Siddharama Purana), a eulogy of the dynamic and compassionate 12th century Veerashiava saint Siddharama of Sonnalige which brings out a larger-than-life image of the saint in a simple yet stylistic narrative;

Harishchandra Kavya In the Harishchandra Kavya, Raghavanka brings out the clash of personalities with lively dialogues; between sage Vishvamitra and sage Vashishta, between Harishchandra and Vishvamitra and between Harishchandra and the "unreal" girls ("dancing girls"). Also narrated is Harishchandra's fidelity to truth against all odds and the redemption of Harishchandra after being rescued by an untouchable he had once rejected. One piece of elegiac verse, written in the mandanila ragele metre (rhymed couplets) is the mourning of Chandramati over the death of her young son Lohitashva from snake bite, while gathering firewood for his Brahmin taskmaster. The poem has remained popular for centuries and is recited by Gamakis (narration of story accompanied by music).