Karnataka > Marathi Language in Karnataka
Marathi and Kannada are very close to each other for centuries. Geographical, cultural, social, anthropological and religious bonds were responsible for thier affinity. Mutual influences and exchanges are seen in the usage of these languages when Kannada had rich literature, Marathi was being evolved through Mararastri Prakrit, popularly known as Jain Maharashtri. Linguistic pecularities of the Marathi spoken in Karnataka are worth noting. Use of Kannada words and idiom form the major pecularities. Some pecularities like the dento-palatal pronunciation in the original Marathi are observed in the Marathi spoken in Karnataka. The influence of Kannada word 'avaru' used as a suffix after any proper name in Marathi is very significant.
The Muslim rulers of Bijapur, Mysore and many small jahgirs in Karnataka like Jamkhandi etc., gave a significant place to the Marathi language and the Modi script. Till the end of the 19th century, the Modi script was in use especially in North Karnataka. under the Maratha rule, Kannada and Marathi came in close contact and influenced each other to a considerable extent. Important literature in Marathi produced in Karnataka dates back to the 17th Century. Mudalagi, a place near Gokak has a tradition of Swamis belonging to the school of Mukundaraja, the first Marathi poet. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III patronised Marathi, He also wrote a book entitled 'Sankhya Ratnakosha' on the game of chess in Marathi. After the advent of British rule, because of the contacts of Karnataka with Maharashtra in several spheres like politics, education, literature and other fine arts, Marathi played a significant role in Karnataka. Political leaders like Gokhale and Tilak were respected and loved as their own people, by the people of Karnataka. Marathi theatre was very popular and stage actors like Balagandharva were very much liked in Karnataka. Histotical novels of Hari Narayan Apte were translated into Kannada by Galaganath. Works of Sane Guruji, Phadke, Khandekar, Savarkar and Ranjit Desai have been translated to Kannada. Many modern Marathi plays have been translated to Kannada and vice versa. Tendulkar's plays are familiar in Karnataka and Girish Karnad's Kannada plays have gained appreciation and acceptance in Maharashtra. Bendre's 'Nakutanti.', Vachana Basaveshwara,' Vachanodaya' Kailasam's Tollugatti', S.L.Bhyappa's novels Karnad's 'Hayavadana' and Tughlaq' etc., have been translated to Marathi and have been immensely popular. Many able Marathi writers of Karnataka have a name for themselves. Notable among them are Govind Kelkar, Narayan Atiwadkar, Manohar Banne, G.G.Rajadhyaksh, N.R.Killedar, G.A. Kulkarni etc.
Novelists Prof.Nikhumba, Indira Sant and Ranjit Desai, Prof Aravinda Yalgi, Madhavi Desai, Priya Prabhu are among the noted writers from Belgaum district. G.D.Khare of Gadag has won award for his work 'Gita Manna Darshan'. Prof G.A. Kulkarni from Dharwad was a noted short story writer. Dr. A.R.Toro from Ainapur has translated many Marathi works to Kannada and vice versa. He received the Jnanapith award for his Marathi works. R.G.Kalangade of Hubli has written many religious works including one on Sayanacharya. Of writers from Dharwad Prof. B.R. Modak, Vidya Sapre (novelist), and Baburao Gaekwad can be mentioned. S.S. Gokhale's unique work 'Akashasi Jadavu Nate' is on astronomy. Devalgaonkar and G.P.Joshi from Gulbarga also write in Marathi the latter's work on 'Krishna-Godavari Parisar' being a notable work on cultural history.
Marathi Journalism also flourised in Karnataka. Tarun Bharat, Ranqjwyar, Varta, Veeravani, Lokmat, Rashtraveer and Belgaum Samachar are some of the journals that are mention worthy.
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