The early 19th century saw a golden age of Kannada literary studies, with the publication of many important works, said Prof. Taltaje Vasanth Kumar, a retired professor of the University of Mumbai. Speaking at a seminar on "Early Kannada Literary Studies: Pioneering Efforts" at the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Postgraduate Centre in Ujire, Prof. Kumar said that the 19th century saw a flourishing of literary studies in Kannada, both in the fields of poetry and grammar.
He pointed out that many important Kannada literary works, including Vaddaharadhana, Kavirajamarga, Sahasabhama Vijaya, Yashodara Charita, Vikramarjuna Vijaya, and Gaduginda Bharata, were published during this period. "This was a time when the study of Kannada literature was at its peak," he said. "Many important works were published, and there was a growing interest in the study of Kannada language and literature."
Prof. Kumar also discussed the contributions of early Kannada scholars, such as N.K. Shastri, Ana Krishna Rao, and V.K. Gokak, to the development of Kannada literary studies. The seminar was organized by the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Postgraduate Centre and the Kannada Sahitya Parishat.