Basavanna Vachanagalu mathu Manku thimmana kagga.

When we were in school, Kannada was a compulsory language as its the regional language, and learning it was fun as we had such wonderful teachers who taught us with all the patience.


I still remember the kavi kavya parichaya, ghadya bhaga, padya bhaga, arhtagalu, vyakarna, etc...


There are a few Kannada poems which have been deeply rooted into my heart. The poem and its meaning is like  nectar.


Well I shall quote them and also try to explain them, but do forgive me and correct me if I am wrong anywhere.

Basavanna vachanagalu

ಉಳ್ಳವರು ಶಿವಾಲಯ ಮಾಡುವರು ನಾನೇನು ಮಾಡಲಿ ಬಡವನಯ್ಯಾ

ಎನ್ನ ಕಾಲೇ ಕಂಬ, ದೇಹವೇ ದೇಗುಲ, ಶಿರವೇ ಹೊನ್ನ ಕಳಸವಯ್ಯಾ

ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗಮದೇವಾ ಕೇಳಯ್ಯಾ, ಸ್ಥಾವರಕ್ಕಳಿವುಂಟು ಜಂಗಮಕ್ಕಳಿವಿಲ್ಲ

The rich build/construct temples for Lord Shiva. What shall I do, I am a poor man? My legs are pillars, The body the shrine, The head a cupola of gold.

Listen, O lord Kudal Sangama deva, Things standing shall fall, But the moving ever shall stay.

ಜ್ಞಾನದ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಅಜ್ಞಾನದ ಕೇಡು ನೋಡಯ್ಯ

ಜ್ಯೋತಿಯ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಅಂಧಕಾರದ ಕೇಡು ನೋಡಯ್ಯ

ಸತ್ಯದ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಅಸತ್ಯದ ಕೇಡು ನೋಡಯ್ಯ

ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗನ ಶರಣರ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಆತ್ಮನ ಅಹಂಕಾರದ ಕೇಡು ನೋಡಯ್ಯ

The power of knowledge destroys ignorance;

The power of light dissipates darkness;

The power of truth is foe of all untruth;

The sharana's experience of god is the sole cure of worldliness;

- Lord Kudala Sangamadeva.

ಕಳಬೇಡ, ಕೊಲಬೇಡ, ಹುಸಿಯ ನುಡಿಯಲುಬೇಡ

ಮುನಿಯಬೇಡ, ಅನ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಅಸಹ್ಯ ಪಡಬೇಡ

ತನ್ನ ಬಣ್ಣಿಸಬೇಡ , ಇದಿರು ಹಳೆಯಲುಬೇಡ

ಇದೆ ಅಂತರಂಗ ಶುದ್ದಿ, ಇದೆ ಬಹಿರಂಗ ಶುದ್ದಿ

ಇದೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಕೂಡಲ ಸಂಗಮ ದೆವನೊಲಿಸುವ ಪರಿ...

Don't rob, Don't kill, Never ever lie

Don't get angry, Don't think negative about others

Don't self describe, Don't tease others

This is the way of self respect, this is the way to get respected by the world.

This is the way of impressing my lord Koodala sangam deva.

Manku thimmana kagga

ಹುಲ್ಲಾಗು ಬೆಟ್ಟದಡಿ, ಮನೆಗೆ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆಯಾಗು

ಕಲ್ಲಾಗು ಕಷ್ಟಗಳ ಮಳೆಯ ವಿಧಿ ಸುರಿಯೇ

ಬೆಲ್ಲ ಸಕ್ಕರೆಯಾಗು ದೀನ ದುರ್ಬಲರಿಂಗೆ

ಎಲ್ಲರೊಳಗೊಂದಾಗು ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ

Be gentle like the tiny grass that grows

In the crevices of a giant mountain's feet,

Be like the fragrant jasmine flower

Which fills up the air with perfume sweet,

Stand like a rock if destiny cruel

Showered you with hardships, big and small,

Be sweet as rock candy to people in distress,

O naive one, just be one among all.