PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT OF KANNADA LANGUAGE:  

Kannada is one of the most revered languages of modern India; the fact that it has bagged eight Jnanpith awards so far is itself a manifestation of its profound literary legacy. It is the official language of Karnataka and one of the 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the 8^th schedule to the Indian constitution. Kannada has been awarded the classical status on the first of November, 2008. These are some of the facts of modern Kannada, earlier Kannada has grown through ages and has stood firm against the ravages of time. 

The earliest phase is referred to as Poorvada- halegannada (proto-old Kannada) phase - prior to the 6^th century AD; the phase that is often jointly classified with this is the Halegannada (Old Kannada) phase - 6^th century AD to 11^th century AD: The first written reference of Kannada can be traced to as early as 230 BC; the rock edict of Brahmagiri by King Ashoka has Kannada letters inscribed on it. The Halmidi inscription of 450 AD clearly shows that Kannada was well established as a literary language of the period. Later works such as Kavirajamaarga (the main pathway for a poet) -850 AD; believed to have been written by King Amoghavarsha Nrupatunga himself lays down a set of strict formulas to be adhered with while writing a classical work. Vaddaradhane (900 AD) of Shivakotyacharya belong to this period. Classical works by famous Jain poets Pampa, Ponna and Ranna were written during this period. Pampa Bharatha, Ramakathe and Gadhayuddha is note worthy classical works of this period. By the time English literature was still making a beginning with Chaucer, many classical works were already written in Kannada.