JANNA

 

  1. Janna (ಜನ್ನ)
  2. janna
  3. Second half of the 12th Century and the first half of the 13th century.
  4. Halebeedu region in Hassan district. A disciple of Nagavarma-2 and a maternal uncle of Keshiraja.
  5. Jaina (Ramachandradeva Muni was his mentor) He has built Jaina temples including the one at Pannaladurga (Ananthanatha Basadi) and renovated the Vijaya Parshvanatha Basadi at Dorasamudra.
  6. Hoysala Ballala (1173-1220) and a minister with Narasimha Ballala (1220-1235)
  7. Kavi Chakravarthi
  8. Janna is an important poet who has appealed to the modern sensibility of Kannada speaking community and a huge body of critical writings has emerged about his writings. Even though both his works are derived from Sanskrit works he has introduced new elements both in the thematic sector and the stylistic sector. This applies more specifically to ‘Yashodharacharite’ his magnum opus and one of the enduring epics of Kannada. Janna belongs to the tradition of administrator-poets of Kannada such as Pampa , Chavundaraya and Basavanna. Consequently he posseses a veritable spectrum of experiences and fathomed deeply in to the depths of human psyche. He did not continue the tradition started by Pampa because both his works are related to Jainism. ‘Ananthanathapurana’ is a biographical account of Ananthanatha teerthnakara and ‘Yashodharacharite’ which belongs to the genre of ‘Nompiya kathegalu’ transcends the bounadaries of religion and becomes a saga of human passions and the consequent travails. Both the epics written by Janna introduce new dimensions to the accepted traditional frame work. ‘Yashodharacharite’ has evoked pluralistic responses with respect to the portrayal of the character of Amruthamathi not only by the feminist critics but also the enrtire gamut of Kannada literary criticism. “Chandashasanana Kathe’ a short episode from ‘Ananthanathapurana’ has also captivated the modern mind because of the undying passion of the protagonist for his belived Sunanda who happens to be the wife of some one else. Janna is crucial in the context of Kannada literature because he has chosen themes that are neither historical nor contemporary but has managed to imbue his work with those dimensions in the context of the historical growth of Jainism. At once, it is a story of ancient north India and also medeival Karnataka.
  9. Ananthanathapurana,(Champu Kavya) Yashodharacharite,(Kanda Padyas) Anubhava Mukura, (Erotica) a number of inscriptions

References and Criticism: 1. Janna C.P.Krishnakumar, Prsaranga, Mysore University , Mysore . 2. Yashastilaka and Indian Culture, K.K.Handiqui, 1949, Jain Samskriti Samrakshak Sangha, Sholapur 3. Janna – Kavi Kavya Parampare, Ed. V.Seetharamaiah, 1975, I.B.H.Prakashana, Bangalore . 4. Janna- ondu adhyayana, K.Y.Shivakumar, 1999, Chethana Bookhouse, Mysore . 5. Yashodharachariteya Kavyatantra, Keerhinatha Kurthakoti, 1982, Bangalore University , Bangalore 5. Janna (ondu maruchintane) Ed. Giraddi Govindaraja, 2008, Karnataka Sahitya Academy , Bangalore . 6. Yashodhara Charithe, Krishnakumar C.P., Masterpieces of Indian Literature, Ed. K.M.George, Pub. : National Book Trust, Kannada Editor: G.S.Shivarudrappa

11. Translations from Janna, Sharma T.R.S., Medieval Indian Literature volume 1 Ed. T.R.S. Sharma, Sahitya Academy, 2000

P.S.: Kindly refer to the bibliography given for ‘Yashodharacharite’ in the corresponding entry.

 

 

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