New Special cover issued on Lean Kannada Speak Kannada during Karphilex-2017 at Bengaluru by Karnataka postal circle, 14th July-2017.
Kannada is one of the ancient languages of India. It is a prominent Dravidian language. In 2008 the Government of India awarded Kannada, the status of classical language. Kannada is a verbal language of 49 letters that are divided into vowels, consonants and yogavahas (neither vowel nor consonant). Kannada letters and digits originate from the Brahmi script of Ashoka period. The phases in evolution of Kannada script can be observed from the period of Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalakyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagar Empire until the period of Mysore kings. Until recently Halmidi inscription (450-500 AD) was considered as the oldest inscription of Kannada, but recently the Archaeological Survey of India has found an inscription older than Halmidi at Talugunda, near Shiralakoppa in Shikaripura taluk of Shimoga District, Karnataka dating back to 370-450AD. After a number of studies, the Department has declared these findings as the earliest Kannada inscription. These new findings have further enhanced the eminence of Kannada.( text description taken from back side of cover). Cover approval No: KTK/57/2017.
