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KAVI LINGANNA - ಕವಿ ಲಿಂಗಣ್ಣ

Kavi Linganna [1499-1763 AD] was the Court Poet of the Keladi rulers. It is believed that subsequent to him, his successors have be-got the ‘sur-name’ – ‘Kavi’. His father was Venkatappa (mother’s name is not known). [However, Dr.K.N.Chitnis in his book: KELADI POLITY mentions: “The ancestors of this Lingannakavi appear to have been the Court poets under the Keladi rule”.] It is stated that he lived in Sagar and had some lands in a village called Sulagodu. He had seen the Keladi rule during its peak from close quarters and from his writings, one can infer that he lived during the period of the second Basavappa Nayaka (1739-1754). Keladi Nrupa Vijaya gives an account of the entire Keladi history till the end. Hence, it can be inferred that Kavi Linganna lived upto the end or slightly beyond the eclipse of the Keladi dynasty.

It is said that once Linganna was melodiously singing a song in front of Kollur Mookambike at Kollur with all devotion and the Keladi King who had just arrived there was greatly impressed by his singing. (It can be seen from the Keladi history that Keladi Kings also held Kollur Mookambika in very high esteem). At that time, one of the flowers fell in front of Linganna from the idol of Mookambika. Greatly impressed by his singing and this incident, the Keladi King enquired about his antecedents and appointed him as Court Poet*.

His work, ‘Keladi Nrupa Vijaya’ is known more for its historical importance than its literary features; though at several places, Kavi Linganna’s literary command is also clearly demonstrated. Besides, ‘Keladi Nrupa Vijaya’, a historical work, his other literary works include: Dakshadwara Vijaya, Shivapooja Darpana, Parvathi Parinaya and Shiva Kalyana (Yakshagaana). Kavi Linganna has included several musical compositions** in his above works and has also indicated the ‘Raaga’ of each Krithi. No doubt, Kavi Linganna was also an eminent scholar in Carnatic music and well-versed in Yakshagaana as well.
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*Keladi Gunda Jois has mentioned that he had seen a reference about this in the book: “Vaideeka Dharmada Shastreeya Vichara” by Kavi Lingannaiyya, which was taken by Sri Madhava Rao, father-in-law of late GVK Rao, the then Chief Secretary to Government of Karnataka; the book is since not traceable. [Manavika Karnataka, Edition-2.1973 – Mysore University].