NARASIMHACHAR R., 1860-1936
R. Narasimhachar(ಆರ್.
ನರಸಿಂಹಾಚಾರ್) is one of the stalwarts
who worked tirelessly for the cause of Kannada culture during the later decades
of the nineteenth century and the early decades of the twentieth century. His contributions
to the areas of Archaeology, Epigraphy, Textual Criticism and History of Kannada
literature are unsurpassed to this day and they have served as veritable gold mines
for future generations of scholars many of whom were under his tutelage.
He was born in
Srirangapattana and obtained his B.A. degree in 1882. He was the first person to
secure a master’s degree in Kannada from the
Narasimhachar
was well versed in Sanskrit, Tamil, English and Kannada. He acquired many skills
necessary for his life’s mission under the able guidance of his mentor B.L.Rice.
His contribution to various fields of knowledge involving erudition and commitment
are described here afterwards.
Textual Criticism:
Narasimhachar’s work in this field was path breaking. The science of textual criticism
was not established and he had to form his own rules and adopt methods that were
invented by him. Some details about the works edited by R.N. are given below:
1.
‘Kavyavalokana’
by Nagavarma-2, 1903.
2.
Karnataka
Bhashabhushana by Nagavarma-2, 1903.
3.
Karnataka
Shabdanushasana by Bhattakalanka. (With ‘Bhashamanjari’ and Manjari Makaranda’.)
These works are models of textual criticism. Narasimhachar
has made use of all the manuscripts that were available. He has created many techniques
of editing and used them competently. All the variants are indicated. The books
are provided with an erudite introduction in English which provides information
about the author and his works. A comparative analysis with other works in the same
genre both in Kannada and Sanskrit are handy. The indices given at the end of the
text are helpful.
Contributions to archaeology : During his tenures both as an assistant to B.L.Rice and
as the director of the department in independent charge, which lasted for more than
two decades R.N. toured extensively all over the princely state of Mysore, looking
for ancient temples, inscriptions and manuscripts. He could find almost 5000 new
inscriptions and study more than one thousand temples. Many of these monuments and
thousands of coins unearthed by him were diligently photographed and preserved for
posterity. ‘Shasanapadyamanjari’ an anthology of poems found in inscriptions
arranged chronologically with appropriate notes have passed the test of time and
are valuable even today. ‘Neethimanjari’ (Part 1 and Part 2) as well as Neethivakyamanjari’
were two more anthologies edited by this scholar. He was responsible for the making
of thousands of photographs and maps which are well preserved. He made a thorough
revision of the second volume of the monumental Epigraphica Carnatica pertaining
to the inscriptions of Shravanabelagola. The inscriptions which numbered 144 in
the first edition escalated to 500 in the next edition. He collected a number of
works in Kannada and Sanskrit and got them copied. They were preserved in one hundred
volumes. It was Narasimhachar who established the Hoysala sculpture as a separate
entity different from the Chalukya sculpture. He has published illuminating guides
and notes on the temples of Keshava at Somanathapura, Keshava at Belur and Mahalakshmi
at Doddagaddavalli. These three monographs were brought out as a three volumes set
called ‘Architecture and Sculpture of Mysore’
The Lakshmidevi Temple At Dodda Gaddavalli
Architecture And Sculpture Of Mysore (3 Vols. Set))
By
The Kesava Temple At Somanathapur
He led the excavation work at places such as Chandravalli,
Talakadu and Halebeedu. Many coins including those of Roman and Chinese origin were
found during these forays.
“Gangara Charitre’
and ‘Sayana-Madhava’ are two more works written by R.N. on the history of Karnataka.
He was the author of the annual reports of archaeological department of
History of literature: ‘History
of Kannada Literature’ (1934, 1988) and ‘History of Kannada Language’ [History of Kannada language,
(Readership lectures) by R. Narasimhachar, Printed by the Asst.
Supdt., Govt. Branch Press, 1934.] both written in English by Narasimhachar
provide a succinct and authentic introduction to the topics dealt with, of course
within the frame work of the material available at that time.
‘Karanataka Kavicharite’
published in three volumes in the years 1907, 1919 and 1929 respectively constitutes
the most significant contribution of Narasimhachar to Kannada culture. This sets
out to provide detailed information about every single work found in Kannada up
to that point of time and succeeds in achieving that stupendous task with a commendable
degree of success. He gives useful of information about the authors, texts, cross
references and selected passages from the texts under consideration.
Narasimmhachar
has received many accolades from the government as well as a thankful public. Rao
Bahaddur, Praktana Vimarsha Vichakshana’, “Prachyavidyavaibhava’ and “Mahamahopadhyaya’
are some of the titles awarded to him. He was made an honorary member of the Royal
Asiatic Society in 1907. He presided over the fourth Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held
at Dharawada in 1918.