Workshop Overview
Today, Prof. Basavaraja Kodagunti, director of the Central Institute of Indian Languages, emphasized the need for theoretical isolation and systematic scientific analysis of inscriptions at a workshop organized by the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada in Mysuru. The appeal aligns with growing efforts to digitise South Indian epigraphic material—including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam—on the online platform ‘Dharma’ to safeguard a fragmented linguistic heritage. The workshop anticipates participation from more than 150 teachers, researchers and PhD scholars and cites an eighth‑century Rashtrakuta inscription that precisely records dates, highlighting the untapped potential of scientific epigraphy.
- •Kannada Epigraphy Workshop in Mysuru Highlights Ancient Script’s Scientific Legacy
Kannada Epigraphy Workshop in Mysuru Highlights Ancient Script’s Scientific Legacy
The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) convened a two‑day workshop on Kannada inscriptions on 5 August 2026 in Mysuru. Speakers, led by Prof. Basavaraja Kodagunti, urged scholars to adopt systematic, scientific methods for analysing the region’s epigraphic record, arguing that such work can reshape understandings of South‑Indian history and bolster India’s cultural diplomacy.
Prof. Kodagunti, director of the CIIL, opened the programme, noting that the event targets teachers, researchers and PhD candidates engaged in epigraphical and linguistic studies.
- ▸The workshop was organised by the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada (CESCK) under the Department of Higher Education.
- ▸It began on 5 August 2026 and ran for two days, featuring panels on palaeography, digital preservation and comparative linguistics.
- ▸Participants included scholars from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and foreign researchers working on South‑Indian scripts.
The gathering aims to create a collaborative network that can standardise transcription conventions and share digitised corpora. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, the workshop seeks to overcome the fragmented approach that has limited scholarly output on Kannada epigraphy.
Scientific Study of Inscriptions
The central claim is that many Kannada inscriptions exhibit a level of mathematical and grammatical sophistication that warrants rigorous scientific scrutiny. An 8th‑century Rashtrakuta inscription, for instance, contains precise references to time‑keeping methods, suggesting an advanced understanding of astronomy.
- ▸The Rashtrakuta stone tablet records lunar phases and solar eclipses with an accuracy comparable to contemporary Sanskrit astronomical treatises.
- ▸Inscriptions from the Kadamba dynasty display a systematic use of native grammatical constructions, contradicting the view that early Kannada derived wholly from Sanskrit.
- ▸Researchers have identified recurring metrical patterns that align with early Kannada poetic theory, indicating a mature literary tradition.
Such findings challenge the long‑standing misconception that early Kannada grammar was merely a derivative of Sanskrit. Systematic analysis—employing statistical linguistics and digital imaging—can reveal the internal logic of these texts, opening avenues for comparative studies across South‑Indian languages.
Did You Know? The earliest known Kannada inscription, the Halmidi stone (c. 450 CE), predates many of the famed Ashokan edicts, yet its script shows a distinct evolutionary path.
Historical Reach of Kannada Script
Beyond Karnataka, Kannada inscriptions have been discovered at sites associated with Ashokan edicts in Sannati and Kanaganahalli, underscoring the script’s early diffusion. Inscriptions have also been recorded in present‑day Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and even Nepal, reflecting the political and cultural influence of dynasties such as the Chalukyas and Vijayanagara.
- ▸The Sannati site hosts a bilingual inscription that blends Prakrit and early Kannada, indicating administrative bilingualism.
- ▸In Thanjavur, a 10th‑century grant mentions Kannada‑speaking officials serving under the Chola court.
- ▸A 12th‑century copper plate from Nepal records a land grant by a Kannada‑origin merchant, illustrating trans‑regional trade links.
These epigraphic footprints demonstrate how Kannada served as a lingua franca for administration, trade and religious patronage across a vast swathe of the subcontinent. Their preservation can enrich heritage tourism routes and reinforce India’s soft power by showcasing a shared cultural legacy.
Legal and Institutional Framework
The constitutional provision of Article 345 empowers state legislatures to adopt any language and script for official purposes, providing a legal basis for preserving regional scripts. The CIIL, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, is the principal agency tasked with documenting and promoting linguistic diversity.
- ▸Article 345 explicitly recognises the right of states to use indigenous scripts in official communication.
- ▸The CIIL’s mandate includes creating standardized orthographies and supporting scholarly research on Indian languages.
- ▸The digital platform ‘Dharma (digital epigraphy platform)’ is being used by foreign scholars to digitise inscriptions in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.
By aligning scholarly initiatives with constitutional safeguards, India can ensure that script preservation receives both academic and policy support. Digitisation projects like Dharma also facilitate global access, inviting comparative research and fostering international cultural diplomacy.
Way Forward
To translate scholarly insights into public benefit, the CESCK should partner with state archaeology departments to catalogue and conserve vulnerable inscription sites. Integrating epigraphic data into UNESCO
Tags
Concepts Mentioned
Dharma (digital epigraphy platform)
Dharma is an online digital epigraphy platform that collects, transcribes and translates Indian stone and metal inscriptions, providing searchable access for scholars. Its significance is preserving fragile primary sources and enabling large‑scale linguistic and chronological research. For instance, Dharma hosts the complete set of Ashokan edicts with high‑resolution images and GIS coordinates.
Article 345
Article 345 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to prescribe official languages for the Union and its states, allowing each state to adopt its own official language(s). This provision underpins India’s linguistic diversity and federal structure. For example, Maharashtra has designated Marathi as its official language under this article.
Ashokan Edicts
Ashokan Edicts are ancient Indian inscriptions that convey Emperor Ashoka's policies and teachings. They are significant as they reveal his conversion to Buddhism and efforts to spread non-violence. The Edicts of Ashoka are found on rocks and pillars, such as the Lion Capital.
Kadamba dynasty
The Kadamba dynasty was an early medieval Indian ruling family that established the first native kingdom in the region of present‑day Karnataka around 345 CE. It pioneered the use of the Kannada language in administration and inscriptions, laying foundations for later South Indian states. Its capital, Banavasi, is famed for the ancient Kadamba‑style temple of the goddess Mahabhairavi.
Rashtrakuta
The Rashtrakutas were a powerful Indian dynasty that ruled large parts of the Deccan from the mid‑8th to the early‑10th century. They are celebrated for fostering a vibrant cultural renaissance, especially in architecture and literature. Their most famous monument, the monolithic Kailasa temple at Ellora, exemplifies their artistic ambition.
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