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The Prakrit in Karnataka
Karnataka mentions proudly the names of Pampa, Ranna, Janna and many others as its great poets. But if it were to extend its consideration beyond the range of Kannada literature and look upon Sanskrit and Prakrit poets as its own then Puspadanta will find a place of an equal rank, if not more, with the Kannada poets of the best order. His works Tisaṭṭi Mahāpurisa-Guṇālankēru, Jasaharacariu and Nyakumaracariu in apabhramia-Prākṛta stand on par with any one of the best Kavyas in Sanskrit and Prakrit.
Gommatasära of Nemichandra Siddhanta-Chakravarti, because of its popularity, is worth mentioning as the contribution of Karnataka to Prakrta literature, though it is only a compendium of early literature on Jiva and Karma and not an original contribution.
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In the field of Vyakaraṇa literature also Karnataka has its own contribution through Trivikramas Prākṛta Sabdānuśāsana. It is true that this work lacks originality and is only a reproduction af Hemachandras Präkṛta Grammar. But its popularity in South India cannot be ignored while considering its place in the history of Prākṛta literature.
Not that Prākṛta was cultivated in the circle of Jains only. Sanskrit play writers, following the rules of Dramaturgy, have given place for Prākṛta in their plays. Similarly in other literary works also, though very rarely, Prākṛta has found place. For instance in Basavarajiya of Palkurike Somanatha (12th century A. D.), we find about twenty five Prakrta stanzas. However, it should be noted that in Karnāṭaka gradually Sanskrit gained prominence and Prākṛta lost its place of being a literary language even in the circle of Jaina monks.
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