A critical history of Kannada literature, tracing its development from ancient texts to contemporary writing. It examines how literary works respond to their social, cultural and historical contexts, and how Kannada evolved as a major literary language over time. Moving across historical phases – from the earliest extant works and the radical interventions of the Vachanakaras to the most recent writings in Kannada – the book maps the key transitions that shaped the Kannada renaissance, as well as modern and postmodern currents. Dedicated chapters on drama and theatre, women’s writing, literary criticism, folk literature and performance, and popular literature.