Karnataka Overview

Karnataka: IT's an Evolved Cultural Tapestry

Karnataka is a state characterized by rich history and a varied geography. Spread across 191791 sq km, the geography of Karnataka can be broadly demarcated into coastal region, the Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau. The state has a wealth of natural bounties in the form of serene beaches, and dense forests teeming with wildlife. At the same time, the rich recorded history of Karnataka , that traces back to the days of Indus Valley Civilization, along with a number of diverse cultural influences through which the region had been subjected to during the course of its chequered history, has contributed to Karnataka's singular tourism appeal.

The tourism of Karnatakais not only manifested in its exotic beaches and wildlife, but also in its myriad temples and other historic structures, thereby making it a state of all seasons for visitors. The pluralisticculture of Karnataka; specially its ritualistic folk dances, are also a tourist attraction. These dance performances assimilate millennia-old traditions, and present them in scintillating performances, thereby transporting you to another world where myths and folklore reigns…

Kanchipuram silk sarees are probably the most sublime expressions of thecostumes of Karnataka, but an affordable alternative to this can be found in the Mysore silk sarees, which are also extremely beautiful. Mysore peta also effectively adorns the heads of Karnataka men folk with its silky arrogance. This headdress is worn in formal ceremonies, and is a sign of achievement. The handicrafts of Karnataka can lend impressiveness to the tourists' collection of mementos. The exquisite wood works, ivory works and sandal wood works of Karanataka's artisans have a seminal appeal, that doesn't fail to induce the tourists to stop by and flash their credit cards, or go for their wallets.

To have a taste of Karnataka in the literal sense, a gastronomic trip through thecuisines of Karnataka is a must. Various regions of Karnataka have their unique specialties, but all of which can delight your senses, irrespective of whether you are of a vegetarian or non-vegetarian disposal. Whether you are savouring Udipi masala dosa or spicy fish delicacies from the state's coastal regions, it is likely that you would savour heaven.

The official language of the state of Karnataka is Kannada, and 65 percent of the state's population speaks this language. However, native languages like Tulu, Kodava Takk and Konkani are also integral parts of the body comprising languages of Karnataka. Urdu is also spoken by a wide section of the Muslim population of Karnataka.

Though the IT revolution has taken over the capital of Karnataka within a few years, which has resulted in a service sector boom of sorts, but industry and agriculture are also contributing significantly to the state's business and economy . Karnataka has a rich reservoir of mineral resources, which gives the necessary impetus to its industrial growth. The state also leads the nation in coffee, coarse cereals and raw silk production.

Karnataka has a vibrant sports culture, which has resulted in producing of a number of eminent sportspersons over the years. Though the favourite sport of Karnataka is obviously cricket like in anywhere else in India, various other sports of Karnataka also attract active support and participation from the people of Karnataka. Specially, hockey in Kodagu is not merely a game; it is an overwhelming passion.

Tourism in Karnataka

Karnataka is a great destination for the adventure seekers with its deep blue sea, verdant forests and picturesque hill ranges offering a golden opportunity for water sports, trekking, rock climbing, river rafting, angling and parasailing. One can enjoy these activities if one goes for adventure tourism in Karnataka. There are several destinations in Karnataka where one can experience the thrill of aero sports, water sports and trekking.

Hoskote, located at the distance of about 22 km from Bangalore, is a perfect destination for parasailing. It is truly an amazing experience. To experience the thrill of para jumping, go to Nandi Hills, which is a famous hill station in Karnataka. The beautiful airstrip near the Hebbal Lake in Bangalore is well-known for parasailing and microlight flying.

While indulging in adventure tourism in Karnataka, you will come across many wonderful trekking trails in the state. Karnataka can be called as the trekker's delight. Most of the trails are found in the Western Ghats- Shimoga, Hassan, North and South Canara, Coorg and Chikmaglur. Kudremukh is the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. It lies in the middle of dense evergreen forests. It will take about 8-10 hours of trekking to reach this peak. Tadiyendamol, the tallest peak in Kodagu, is another interesting trekking trail in Karnataka. You can have a panoramic view of beautiful surroundings and the Arabian Sea from this peak.

Located in Shimoga district, Kodachari peak offers a five hours thrilling trek. On the way to the peak, you will come across a beautiful waterfall known as 'Agastya Teertha'. Other popular trekking trails in Karnataka are Kumaraparvath in Dakshina Kannada, Jenukallubetta, Brahmagiri near Sakleshpur, Mullayangiri of the Baba Budan Range, Nandi Hills, B. R. Hills and Male Mahabaleshwar Hills. Karnataka has some excellent spots for rock climbing too. Ramnagaram, located at a distance of about 50 km from Bangalore, is referred to as the Mecca of rock climbing. It has numerous rock formations, which offer great opportunities for rock climbing. Yana, 60 km away from Karwar, is another popular spot for rock climbing.

Water sports should be an essential part of the adventure tourism in Karnataka. The beaches of Karnataka are ideal for scuba diving, canoeing, coracle riding, surfing, kayaking and windsurfing. The main water sport sites in the state are equipped with kayaks, surf boards and canoes. Honnemaradu, located in the backwaters of Sharavathy river, is a perfect destination to enjoy windsurfing, rafting, canoeing and some other water sports. Other popular sites for enjoying the water sports like scuba diving, canoeing and surfing are Devbagh near Karwar Beach, Marawanthe beach in the Udupi district, Karwar beach and Gokarna beaches. The Mahseer is one of the best spots for fishing at the Cauvery. Along with angling, here one can enjoy other activities like river rafting, amateur fishing, trekking and coracle riding.

Succinctly, adventure tourism in Karnataka is a memorable experience for the tourists and they should not miss an opportunity to experience some of it.

Business and Economy of Karnataka

Karnataka is one of the most economically developed states of India, which posted a GDP growth of 9.2 percent during the 2006-07 fiscal. Agriculture and industry are the backbone of the business and economy of Karnataka. Karnataka has large reservoirs of minerals, and large tracts of land, suitable for cultivation. Hence the people of Karnataka grow a variety of crops like cashew, coconut, cardamom, ragi, jowar, pulses and rice. Rice is of course the main crop grown in most parts of rural Karnataka. Approximately, 56 percent of the labour force of Karnataka is engaged in agriculture and its associated activities.

The topography of Karnataka is highly suited for agricultural activities as it has a suitable climate, soil and relief for growing crops. Karnataka is highly dependent on the monsoon for its agriculture, and this state does get plenty of rainfall. Consequently, it actually has three agricultural seasons known as Kharif, Rabi and summer crops.

Karnataka leads in the coffee, coarse cereals and raw silk production. Because of its favourable climatic conditions, it has become a hub for the horticultural industry. At Karnataka, many exotic flowers are being grown, both for the local use and for exports to other countries, adding to the economy of the state.

Besides industries and agriculture, the economy of Karnataka is supported by sectors like tourism, banking, finance and mining. It is only in the recent times that information technology has emerged as an important sector, which has caused a surge in the economy of Karnataka in general, and services sector of Karnataka in particular.

With many of the major information technology conglomerates setting up offices in and around Bangalore and Mysore, the whole state has been flourishing economically. The capital of Karnataka, Bangaluru, is known as the Silicon Valley of India with a lot of IT companies operating in this region. The IT revolution has spearheaded a service sector boom in the state. By 2003, the services sector contributed approximately 50 percent to the state's GDP.

Besides having a booming private sector, boosted by the IT growth, the state of Karnataka also has been the base for many important public sector enterprises like the Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Hindustan Machine Tools, Bharat Electronics Ltd., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Central Food Technological Research Institute, etc.

Silk rearing and Khadi production are also well known industries in Karnataka. Power and energy sector is another economy booster to Karnataka, and many leading power companies have set up coal-based power projects in this state. This will go a long way in giving an impetus to the economy of the state.

Karnataka has a well developed infrastructure where the government has implemented many infrastructure projects like construction of expressways, flyovers and roads in the recent times. Due to the information technology boom in Bangalore and Mysore, and with big multinationals like the Microsoft, Accenture, Wipro, Infosys and Yahoo setting up shops in the state, there has been a spate of construction activities in Bangalore, which pertains to housing, malls and supermarkets. The government has also initiated the metro rail project to help ease road congestion and to aid growth in the transport sector.

Other than the major industries of the state like processing of plantation products like coffee, rubber, cashew, etc. there are industries based on food processing, electrical engineering, chemical industries, etc. Mining of minerals like gold and iron ore is another major industry in Karnataka. The coastal regions of Karnataka, mainly Udipi and Dakshina Kannada, have been known for their banking and financial institutions. Many leading banks, like the Canara Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, State Bank of Mysore, Vijaya Bank have their origins in the state of Karnataka.

Besides the large scale industries, many small scale industries like making of agarbhattis, sandal wood carving and handicrafts are also there in the state, which contribute to the economy of Karnataka.

Culture of Karnataka

Karnataka has a rich cultural legacy dating back to the Roman Empire, and this can be seen from the similarities in the folk culture of Karnataka and ancient Rome. During ancient times, the land of Karnataka had trade dealings with various regions like Persia, China, Turkey and Arabia, and its art and culture spread far and wide across these civilizations.

Music, dance and drama are the very lifeblood ofKarnataka culture. Ritualistic dances performed in Karnataka are its main cultural treasures. Some of them are Dollu Kunitha, Puja Kunitha, Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha, and Suggi Kunitha. Most of these dance rituals take the name after the deity or the symbol or the instruments which the dancers carry on their heads while performing the dance.

It was the Vijayanagara kings and the Wodeyars who patronized music in Karnataka and great singers like Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa flourished during their reign. Hindustani music contributed to the culture of Karnataka and many great singers came from this musical genre in Karnataka.

Another most important aspect of Karnataka culture is its folk theater art called Yakshagana and Byalatta. This Yakshagana theatre form hails from the Uttara Kannada region and they are mainly based on the great epic Mahabharata. In Yakshagana, the dancers wear colourful costumes and perform with a variety of facial expressions. This folk theater is a unique combination of dance, songs, colourful costumes, music and dialogues, which keeps the audience enthralled.

Nagamandala is an elaborate ritual performed by the people of Dakshina Kannada and this is conducted extravagantly throughout the night where the dancers are dressed as nagakannikas and perform dances, which resemble the movements of a snake. The nocturnal ritual takes place between December to April.

An ancient art form of leather puppetry, which uses stories drawn from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, is known as Togalu Bombeaata. It is an ancient heritage, and is still performed in rural Karnataka. The local village people use this form of puppetry to seek a good harvest and plenty of rainfall and also to get rid of diseases or attacks by pests.

Dances of Karnataka

The dances of Karnataka can be classified under two major categories - classical and folk. Depending upon the content and purpose of the folk dances, these are further classified under two categories, namely religious and secular. Most of the folk dances of Karnataka have evolved from religion, and as such they are religious in nature and are mostly performed during festivals, fairs and religious occasions, which are celebrated by the local tribes and communities with lots of jest.

There are folk dances of Karnataka which are dedicated to major deities like Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Goddess Parvathy Devi. Some of the dances dedicated to Lord Shiva include Nandi Dhwaja, Lingada-Berana, Gorava dance and Beesu Kamsale, while Bhagawanthike, Pata Kunitha and Bana Devara Kunitha are dances dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Dollu Kunitha, Karaga, Soman Kuntiha, Bhoota Nrutya, Naga Nrutya, are the folk dances performed to worship the different incarnations of Mother Shakthi, who is believed to be the deity of power. Dollu Kunitha, Puja Kunitha, Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha, Suggi Kunitha and Pata Kunitha, etc. are some of the folk dance forms of Karnataka. These dances are highly popular in Karnataka and are accompanied by the heavy and fast beats of drums and singing.

In the dance ritual of Nandi Dhwaja, the skilled and experienced dancers use bamboo poles, which are attractively decorated and are about 20 to 25 feet long and 4 inches wide. The pole is placed in a pouch worn by the dancer and is balanced at 90 degrees angle, while the dancer performs rhythmic movements and complex acrobats while dancing to the heavy beating of drums and other musical instruments. This dance is performed throughout Karnataka, except in the Kodugu district, and is an important dance of Karnataka.

The Dolu Kunitha is a dance which is performed by the men of the shepherd community, also known as the Kuruba community. Here the dancers dance in a synchronized manner in group formations, making quick movements to the vigorous drum beats, keeping with the quick pace of the dance. Drums are decorated with coloured cloth, and they are slung from the percussionists' neck.

In Puja Kunitha, Devare Thatte Kunitha, Yellammana Kunitha and Suggi Kunitha, the dancers carry the deity on a wooden structure, on their heads or in their hands, while dancing. In Pata Kunitha, the men dancers carry tall bamboo poles which are colourfully decorated with ribbons and are crowned with tiny silver or brass umbrellas. In Puja Kunitha, emphasis is given more to the body movements of the dancers which are very skillful in nature, where the dancers perform with colourfully decorated bamboo poles to the heavy beats of the drums.

Most of the dance forms of Karnataka are ritualistic dances, performed by the various tribes. Some dances are also performed using percussion instruments and flutes.You can see these dances being performed in Bangaluru and Mandya districts of Karnataka. Most of these religious folk dances are named after the deity or the symbol or instruments used in the dance performances. These are either held in the dancers' hands or heads, while they dance to the fast beat of the drums. The dancers also wear colourful clothes and anklets, which make rhythmic sounds while they tap their feet to the beat of the drums.

Besides the folk dance tradition, Karnataka also has a rich legacy of classical dance forms. The Mysore style of Bharatanatyam, which is the oldest and the most popular form of classical dance, is very famous in Karnataka. You can also see Kuchipudi and Kathak dance forms here.

Tourist Destinations in Karnataka

The Karnataka state has three major physical zones, the Coastal Strip, the Western Ghat and the Deccan Plateau. It is a destination for the fun loving people, as the state offers ample opportunities for river rafting, rock climbing, paragliding and trekking. Karnataka is universally known for its melodious Carnatic music, a unique form of classical music. Along with its rich culture and traditions, Karnataka, powered by the IT revolution, also happens to be one of the fastest growing states of the country. Karnataka is also well known for agarbatti (incense sticks), silk works, coffee, sandalwood and arecanut. There are many tourist destinations in Karnataka, which are worth exploring.

The state offers various types of travel attractions. Karnataka is the home to Hampi and Pattadakal, which are World Heritage Sites. Jog Waterfalls - Asia's highest waterfall is also there in Karnataka. Around 22 percent area of Karnataka is made up of forests. A 320 km coastline and beautiful hill stations are the main attractions for the eco-tourists in the state.

Some of the important tourist destinations in Karnataka are Bangalore, Mysore, Bijapur, Mangalore and Coorg. Besides their tourist attractions, they serve as gateways to the numerous tourist attractions in Karnataka.

Costumes of Karnataka

The array of costumes of Karnataka presents a harmony of tradition and modernity before the world. If you happen to walk down any road in the capital city of Bangalore or Mysore, chances are that you will find men and women wearing clothes which range from formal office wear, which are highly suitable for working environments of the Silicon Valley of India, to Mysore crepe sarees, salwars, and sarees of Karnataka's handloom cotton. At the same time, we can even find many girls dressed in jeans and trousers. The costumes of Karnataka reflect great diversity.

Due to the advent of computer technology and the wave of modernity that it has brought about in Bangalore and Mysore and other parts of Karnataka, you now have more men and women adapting to wearing clothes like trousers, jeans and salwars. You will normally find men in Karnataka wearing formal shirts or T-shirts and trousers and jeans to work and to colleges. Trousers and jeans are mostly worn by men in the cities and in most towns of Karnataka. But you still have the older men wearing dhotis in the villages.

Though most men of Karnataka wear modern clothes as daily wear, on special occasions they dress themselves in traditional costumes like the panche. This is a dhoti-like costume which is worn along with a traditional headdress called Mysore peta. Though technology has caught up with Karnataka in a big way, most of the women of Karnataka still prefer the traditional costume which is the sari.

Especially the silk sarees, which are worn on special occasions like marriages and Diwali and the Hindu New Year or even other festive occasions like Ramzan and Christmas, is a wonderful fashion statement of Karnataka. These silk sarees come in abundant varieties and are very smooth and sleek. They also come in gorgeous brocades and chiffons. These exclusive creations, using gold threads interwoven to create exquisite designs, have become highly popular and are still the favouritecostume of Karnataka, for the ladies. The state is famous for its Mysore silk sarees.

During weddings, the bride is decked up in Kanchipuram silk sari. These sarees are quite a craze in the weddings as they are rich in texture and come in mind-blowing colours, and are accompanied with the most exquisite designs. Kanchipuram silk sarees are very expensive and are normally reserved for the bride and for the very rich who can afford them.

The Mysore silk sari is the more affordable of the silk sarees. It is more reasonably priced and is also made from pure silk with silver zari. The Mysore silk sari is very soft and smooth, and quite light in weight unlike the heavier Kanchipuram sari. ..The Mysore silk sari looks more lustrous and gives the wearer an elegant look. Most of the women now wear cotton sarees which are more comfortable at workplace.

Yakshagana is a traditional dance of Karnataka where the dancers wear colourful costumes. The traditional costume for this dance comprises of dhoti, a pyjama, a jacket and a loose gown. Most of the costumes of the dancers who perform the traditional ritualistic dances of Karnataka, are eye catching, colourful and bright.

Cuisines of Karnataka

Karnataka cuisines have a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.Karnataka cuisines vary in terms of tastes and flavours, depending on the region from which they come. However, on the whole, Karnataka cuisines have a rich culinary heritage no matter from which region it comes from. Rice, jowar or millet, and raggi are the staple items in the cuisines of Karnataka. Some of the Karnataka cuisines are idli, Mysore masala dosa, bisi bele bath, khara bath, akki rotti, ragi rotti, ragi mudde among others. Though cuisines of Karnataka are predominantly vegetarian, the spicy pork curries of the Coorg region, and the meat and fish specialties of the Mangalore coast, which are cooked in coconut milk, are also very famous.

The bhakri meal of northern Karnataka, which is based on jowar, is distinct from the raggi-based meal eaten in the rural areas of Mysore. Rotis made from wheat and jowar are the staple food of the people of north Karnataka which they eat along with a variety of chutneys or spicy curries. Yenne Badanekayi, which is the brinjal curry, is eaten along with different types of rotis like jolada roti, khadak roti, and sajja roti.

Udupi the holy town is famous not only for its temple of Lord Krishna but also for its masala dosa. This town is famous for its pure vegetarian food without onions and garlic. The main ingredients used in sambar are pumpkins and gourds, which is made from ground coconut, using coconut oil as the base. Sambar is a spicy brew strewn with vegetables; it is a very essential part of the south Indian menu. The people of Udupi use jackfruit, raw green bananas, colacasia leaves, and a lot of red chilies in their menu.

The coastal regions of Karnataka are famous for their spicy rich fish delicacies, which are eaten along with rice preparations and a variety of fruits. The people of Mangalore use plenty of fresh coconut along with spicy red chilies for the preparations. The people in this region simply love rice in any form. Patrode is a special dish in this region which is prepared by steaming stuffed colocasia leaves. Another delicacy of this region is the kori rotti. This is a dry, crisp wafer thin rotti made from rice, and are normally eaten along with chicken curry.

The cuisines of the Kodavas of the Kodugu region are distinctive like their costumes and festivals. Pandi curry made from pork, and Kadambuttu, which are dumplings made from rice, are a great favourite among the people of this region. They also serve bamboo shoot curry, rice noodles, succulent chicken curry and rice rottis in this part of Karnataka.

Mysore pak is a famous sweet dish of the state. Chiroti which is a light flaky pastry, sprinkled with granulated sugar and soaked in almond milk is another traditional sweet of Karnataka. The Shavige Payasa which is made from milk, vermicelli, sugar and cardamom, is another favourite dessert of the people of Karnataka.

Geography of Karnataka

Karnataka is made up of two words - Karu and Nadu. Karu means elevated and Nadu stands for land. Karnataka thus stands for elevated land as it is a state which has the highest elevation in India, averaging 1500 feet. Three major zones make up the physical feature of Karnataka and they are the coastal strip, the Western Ghats, and the Deccan Plateau.

The coastal strip lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, and receives moderate to heavy rainfall during the monsoons. The length of this long lowland strip of land is 320 km along the coast, having a width of 48 to 64 kms. The second physical zone is the Western Ghats. This is a mountainous land area which rises to a level of 900metres on an average from the level of the Arabian Sea. This area receives moderate to very heavy rainfall. The Western Ghats have an average height of above 3000 feet. It is the Western Ghats which separates the coastal Karnataka from the Deccan Plateau, which lies to its west. The third physical zone is the Deccan Plateau, which comprises the main inland area of the state. This area of land which is the plains, is much drier and semi arid and receives far less rainfall with its humidity not crossing 50 percent on an average.

The state of Karnataka is situated on the Deccan Plateau, and it shares its borders with Goa in the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest. In the east of Karnataka is Andhra Pradesh, and the west is washed by the azure blue waters of the Arabian Sea. In Karnataka, the Western and the Eastern Ghats merge into the Nilgiri Hills.

The geography of Karnataka is spread over 1, 92,000 sq.kms. The coastal region has the most beautiful beaches with its silver sands and blue lagoons and on the other side you can see majestic mountains and tall waving palm groves lined along the roads, coursing the coast. The Malnad region of the state, which comprises of a range of mountains of the Western Ghats, has many plantations of coffee, tea, timber, minerals and hydro electricity.

The geography of Karnataka covers four seasons. They are winter, whose reign holds from January to February; the summer, which rules from March to May; the monsoon, which lasts from June to September; and the post-monsoon season, which covers October to December. The post-monsoon and winter seasons are pleasant, and are the ideal times to visit Karnataka.

The state of Karnataka has a wealth of mineral resources, which includes rich deposits of gold, chromite, bauxite, dolomite, iron ore, limestone, asbestos, manganese, ochre and quartz. Kolar and Raichur are the important gold mining centers of Karnataka. They constitute 84 percent of the country's gold production.

Karnataka: IT's an Evolved Cultural Tapestry

Karnataka is a state characterized by rich history and a varied geography. Spread across 191791 sq km, the geography of Karnataka can be broadly demarcated into coastal region, the Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau. The state has a wealth of natural bounties in the form of serene beaches, and dense forests teeming with wildlife. At the same time, the rich recorded history of Karnataka , that traces back to the days of Indus Valley Civilization, along with a number of diverse cultural influences through which the region had been subjected to during the course of its chequered history, has contributed to Karnataka's singular tourism appeal.

The tourism of Karnatakais not only manifested in its exotic beaches and wildlife, but also in its myriad temples and other historic structures, thereby making it a state of all seasons for visitors. The pluralisticculture of Karnataka; specially its ritualistic folk dances, are also a tourist attraction. These dance performances assimilate millennia-old traditions, and present them in scintillating performances, thereby transporting you to another world where myths and folklore reigns…

Kanchipuram silk sarees are probably the most sublime expressions of thecostumes of Karnataka, but an affordable alternative to this can be found in the Mysore silk sarees, which are also extremely beautiful. Mysore peta also effectively adorns the heads of Karnataka men folk with its silky arrogance. This headdress is worn in formal ceremonies, and is a sign of achievement. The handicrafts of Karnataka can lend impressiveness to the tourists' collection of mementos. The exquisite wood works, ivory works and sandal wood works of Karanataka's artisans have a seminal appeal, that doesn't fail to induce the tourists to stop by and flash their credit cards, or go for their wallets.

To have a taste of Karnataka in the literal sense, a gastronomic trip through thecuisines of Karnataka is a must. Various regions of Karnataka have their unique specialties, but all of which can delight your senses, irrespective of whether you are of a vegetarian or non-vegetarian disposal. Whether you are savouring Udipi masala dosa or spicy fish delicacies from the state's coastal regions, it is likely that you would savour heaven.

The official language of the state of Karnataka is Kannada, and 65 percent of the state's population speaks this language. However, native languages like Tulu, Kodava Takk and Konkani are also integral parts of the body comprising languages of Karnataka. Urdu is also spoken by a wide section of the Muslim population of Karnataka.

Though the IT revolution has taken over the capital of Karnataka within a few years, which has resulted in a service sector boom of sorts, but industry and agriculture are also contributing significantly to the state's business and economy . Karnataka has a rich reservoir of mineral resources, which gives the necessary impetus to its industrial growth. The state also leads the nation in coffee, coarse cereals and raw silk production.

Karnataka has a vibrant sports culture, which has resulted in producing of a number of eminent sportspersons over the years. Though the favourite sport of Karnataka is obviously cricket like in anywhere else in India, various other sports of Karnataka also attract active support and participation from the people of Karnataka. Specially, hockey in Kodagu is not merely a game; it is an overwhelming passion.

Handicrafts of Karnataka

In the state of Karnataka, the craftsmen use their deft fingers and skilled hands to make a variety of fascinating creations. One can find the handicrafts of Karnatakaadorning the homes of the ordinary people, elite sections, and even the royal homes of yesteryears.

Many of Karnataka's arts and crafts have found their way to the western world too. This only bears testimony to the fact that theKarnataka craftsmen have skill, aesthetic sense and dexterity; which have not only been handed down over a number of generations, but also perfected through ages.

The royal kings at one time used to patronize these crafts and presently the government has made it its policy to encourage these skilled craftsmen by setting up centers and marketing their wares to the tourists who visit the state. This proactive move has given a necessary impetus to the Karnataka handicrafts. Some of the famous and popular crafts of Karnataka include wood carving, ivory carving, doll making, sandal wood carving, etc. The rich forests present in Karnataka have provided an opportunity to the people to develop their skills in wood carving, as they can get plenty of raw materials from the forests.

The artisans use age old techniques to carve, inlay design, veneer, paint and lacquer the wooden articles. The skill of these artisans can be seen from the work they have done in the ancient temples. Some of the old homes, temple cars, and doorways have intricately carved designs of gods and goddesses. Most tourists to Karnataka love to buy crafts made from rosewood, especially that of a rosewood elephant, which can be quite expensive.

Another popular craft is the ivory carving which is derived from the tusks of the many elephants, which abounded in the forest regions of Karnataka. But in the recent times, with the banning of ivory trade, this craft has had a natural death.

Brocade weaving is another exquisite handicraft which has gained in popularity in the state. Artisans of this genre are found in areas around Bangalore, Hubli, etc. while the wood inlay work is practiced in the Mysore region, and is unique to this place.

Sandal wood carving is another important handicraft of Karnataka. Sandal wood is found in abundant quantity in Karnataka and craftsmen carve delicate articles, both big and small, from the sandal wood. You can find mostly handicrafts of elephants, gods and goddesses, etc. made from sandalwood, and these articles are a great favourite among the tourists. You can also find stone carvings of various gods and goddesses in all shapes and sizes, while on your tour of Karnataka.

In Bidar, they have a special craft called Bidariware. In this handicraft, fine silvery or gold designs are embossed on a black metal surface. The Lambhanis, who are the tribal people of Karnataka, are well known for their embroidery works which comes in colourful designs.

History of Karnataka

The area which is now known as Karnataka, has a history so ancient, that it merges in the realm of pre-history. The history of Karnataka region traces to Paleolithic age. Neolithic and megalithic cultures were also present in this region. The hand axe culture was very much prevalent among the people here, than the people of the north. It is also believed by many historians that gold was imported to Harappa from the gold mines of Karnataka. As far as recorded history of Karnataka goes, it has also been found that the people of Karnataka who lived as far back as 1200 BC, used iron weapons.

The early rulers of Karnataka were mainly from the north of India, and many parts of Karnataka were ruled by the Mauryas and the Nandas. Extensive areas of Karnataka were ruled by the Satavahanas from 30BC to 230AD, and the decline of their rule was followed by the rise of Kadamba and the Western Ganga dynasty. Mayurasharman in 345 AD founded the Kadamba dynasty and the capital of his kingdom was Banavasi.

The Western Gangas started their rule from around 350 AD from the Kolar region, and much later shifted their capital to Talakadu, located in the Mysore district. Both the Gangas and the Kadambas ruled their respective regions well till the advent of the Badami Chalukyas, who overpowered them and made them their subordinates.

It was the Badami Chalukyas who actually brought the whole of Karnataka under a single ruler and they greatly contributed to the fields of arts and crafts. The Rastrakutas came next, after overthrowing the Chalukyas. They were responsible for building the famous Ellora Caves in Maharashtra.

The Rastrakutas were overthrown by the Kalyana Chalukyas who in turn resisted the powerful Chola kings from the South. The Sevunas or Yadavas who came next, ruled Karnataka for a long period of time.

At the beginning of the first millennium, Hoysalas emerged as a powerful political force in the Karnataka region. Their rule made a significant impact in the cultural history of Karnataka. During Hoysala rule, Karnataka literature flourished, and a great many temples and sculptures were created. The Muslim rulers defeated the Hoysalas, who ruled over Karnataka. It was the commanders of the Hoysala army, named Harihara and Bukka, who fought against the Delhi Sultan and founded the Vijayanagara Empire, which extended from south of the Vindyas. In the early fourteenth century, Harihara and Bukka Raya founded the Vijayanagara Empire. This empire successfully thwarted many imperialistic advances by Moghuls. The ruins of this mighty empire can be seen today at Hampi.

Krishna Devaraya was the greatest king of the Vijayanagara Empire and during his time there was a reign of peace and prosperity. His reign saw the building of many famous temples. After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Marathas took control of northern Karnataka. Tipu Sultan, who was the last king to rule Karnataka, was defeated by the British rulers who overthrew him. After a long stint of rule under the British, Karnataka state in its present form, finally became an independent state of the Indian Union in the year 1956 with Kodagu and Kannada speaking regions from the states of Madras, Hyderabad and Bombay being incorporated into the Mysore state under the States Reorgnisation Act. Yes, then it was called Mysore state; it was renamed Karnataka in 1973.

Languages of Karnataka

The official language of Karnataka is Kannada, which has its roots in the Dravidian family. Kannada language has a rich literary tradition; with Kannada literature having seven Jnanpith awardees to its credit. It is as old as the Tamil language, which is also from the Dravidian family. However, it was only in the ninth century that Kannada actually became an independent language. Kannada is spoken by nearly 65 percent of the population of Karnataka.

Tulu, Kodava Takk and Konkani are some of the other native languages of Karnataka. The people living in the coastal districts of Karnataka, which consists of the districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, speak Tulu. The oldest surviving Tulu text is the Tulu Mahabharato, which was written by Arunabja in the Tulu script. Tulu script has shown a gradual and steady decline, and thus Tulu language uses Kannada script.

Majority of Kodavas reside in the Kodagu district. They speak the Kodava Takk. In this language there are two variations - one which is the northern variation and the other which is the southern variation. They are known as Mendale Takka and Kiggaati Takka respectively. The script used by the Kodavas for writing is the Kannada script. The Akademi of Tulu Sahithya and the Kodava Sahitya Akademi make it a point to promote their respective languages. These bodies are making sure that their languages do not die a natural death.

People who reside in the regions of Uttara Kannada and in some parts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts speak the Konkani language. This language too uses the Kannada script for its writings. Since Karnataka has a large Muslim population, Urdu language is also spoken in Karnataka widely.

Karnataka is slowly growing more cosmopolitan and with the number of information technology companies making a beeline for setting up their businesses in Karnataka, especially in Bangaluru and Mysore, the popularity of English as a medium of expression and communication is on the rise. Many couples in Karnataka want their children to study in English medium schools, so as to enhance their job prospects, and this move has been a setback to the popularity of the Kannada language in the recent years.

The state government promotes the use of Kannada as the official language of Karnataka for purposes like communication, but it is not averse to the use of English either. There are a number of people who speak English in Karnataka as the need for the IT industry and the tourism industry is making English language highly popular here.

A minority of people living in the state also speak other languages like Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Persian, Tibetan, etc.

Media of Karnataka

The first private radio station was started in Mysore, in the year 1935, and this makes the state of Karnataka one of the front runner states in the field of communication in India. The radio, along with newspapers, was the most sought after medium of communication in the early days, before television gained in popularity. The popularity of the radio saw a decline with the arrival of TV, and eventually, with the spread of satellite networks. It is only in the very recent times, with the arrival of many FM radio channels that radio has again caught the fancy of the masses. Now you will find youngsters who are hooked on to these FM radio channels, listening to film songs all day long.

The media of Karnatakahas a long and distinguished track record. The very first Kannada newspaper is the Mangalooru Samachara, which was first published in the year 1843. It was started by a missionary from the Basel Mission called Hermann Mogling. The Deccan Herald in English and the Prajavani in Kannada were started by Mysore Private Limited in 1948, which brought about a revolution in Karnataka newspaper publishing. Presently, the most popular newspaper in Kannada in Karnataka is the Vijaya Karnataka, which is eagerly bought by a large number of Kannada speaking people of Karnataka to get their daily dose of politics and other happenings in their state, India and the world. In Karnataka, Times of India attracts the highest readership in English.

Some of the best newspapers in the country come from Karnataka. The newspapers of Karnataka come both in Kannada and English languages. Though television, radio, etc. have been other modes of media through which people gather news, it is the newspaper which is still a hot favourite amongst everyone, and they enrich the Karnataka media.

The Deccan Herald is the oldest surviving English newspaper in Karnataka. It is extremely popular in the state and can be said to be a major voice in the print media of Karnataka. The Hindu is another English newspaper which is read by many youngsters these days, both within Karnataka and other parts of India. Other important newspapers are the Star of Mysore and The New Indian Express, which also have large fan followings as far as readership is concerned.

Some other Kannada newspapers are the Kannada Prabha and Prajavani, which are published by the New Indian Express and Deccan Herald publishers respectively. Sahilone is the only newspaper which comes in Urdu language and it caters to the readership of the Muslim population in Karnataka, many of whom speak this language.

As discussed above, television is another media which is very powerful in the state. Doordarshan, which is broadcasted by the government, has DD Chandana under its belt, which is being broadcasted in the Kannada language. Recently the state has many private television broadcasters in Karnataka, who are airing channels in the Kannada language. These private channels vie with one another for viewership by offering mega serials and soap operas, and dishing out popular film songs everyday.

Of course, DD and many of the private television channels in Karnataka also have their news bulletins, which give the viewers in Karnataka the right infotainment mix. Other than radio, television and newspapers, you also have plenty of magazines in the different languages which cater to the large reading population of the state. With the advent of computers and Internet, cyber media has also entered the fray in Karnataka, rather in a big way, through which more and more tech-savvy people are getting news, views and entertainment instantly, with the click of a mouse. Print, audiovisual and virtual media are all thriving in Karnataka.

Politics of Karnataka

Karnataka became an independent state only in the year 1956. However, in 1956 it was known as the Mysore state; it was renamed as Karnataka only in 1973. During the British rule, most of the present day Karnataka were under many different administrations like the Bombay Presidency, Madras Presidency, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the rule of the Mysore kings, etc.

A unification campaign on linguistic basis was carried out by many prominent political leaders of the state; Aluru Venkata Rao being one of the predominant leaders. This very long political movement, known as Ekikarana Movement, eventually found its success with the redrawing of the geography of the state of Mysore under the States Reorganization Act in 1956, when Kodagu and Kannada speaking regions from the erstwhile states of Madras, Hyderabad and Bombay were inducted into the Mysore state. The expanded Mysore state was renamed as Karnataka in 1973.

There are many political parties, which dominate the politics of Karnataka today. The major political parties of the state are the Indian National Congress, Janata Dal(Secular), Janata Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party. Of course, like the other south Indian states, Karnataka politics also has many regional parties and they play a dominant role in state politics, helping to form and break governments, specially in the recent context with coalition politics ruling the roost.

The state legislative assembly or Vidhan Sabha comprises of 224 members, who are elected for a five-year term. The legislative council or Vidhan Parishad is a permanent body like all other Vidhan Parishads of India. This house comprises of 75 members, with one third of its members retiring every year. The state government is headed by the Chief Minister. Karnataka comprises of 29 districts, and each district is governed by the District Commissioner or District Magistrate.

Until very recently, HD Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister of Karnataka. He belongs to Janata Dal (Secular) party, and was the son of the former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda. They were able to capture power with the help of the BJP with whom they had an understanding that both the parties will take turns to rule the state. But after the tenure of Kumaraswamy, he refused to step down, and this caused the government to fall as BJP withdrew support.

Karnataka politics is based mainly on the Kaveri issue. This has caused a lot of tension between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The politics of Karnataka is always dynamic and here castes play a significant role. The two major castes who play important roles in the Karnataka politics are the Lingayats and the Vokkaligas.

Sports of Karnataka

There are no prizes for guessing the most popular sport of Karnataka. Like elsewhere in India, the passion of cricket sweeps through its mass psyche in an overwhelming manner. However, Karnataka sports a sporting culture, which is not limited to only cricket.

The culture of sports of Karnataka is vibrant. Karnataka has produced a number of stalwarts in international cricket. The 'wall' of the Indian cricket team Rahul Dravid, the ace Indian leg spin bowler Anil Kumble; who is the highest wicket taker for India in the test cricket, are the recent stars of the Indian cricket, hailing from Karnataka. However, Karnataka had a number of cricketing heroes from the yesteryears too. Gundappa Viswanath- the 'touch magician', Chandrasekhar, who happened to be the hero of the historic Oval Test victory in 1971, EAS Prassana, Javgal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Syed Kirmani…the list is truly impressive.

Bangalore is one of the venues for international cricket matches played between India and other countries. The Sports Authority of India, which is the premier sports institute in India, is located in Bangalore. The international one day matches are played at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is located in Bangalore. The National Cricket Academy, which trains young budding cricket players to groom them for international cricket, also functions from this stadium.

However, besides cricket, the popular sports of Karnataka also include football, hockey and tennis among others. The state's famous non-cricket sportspersons include the likes of Nisha Millet (swimming), Mahesh Bhupathi (tennis) and Prakash Padukone (badminton). Karnataka has also produced a number of hockey players, who represented the country at a national level. In fact, in the district of Kodagu, hockey is a passion. Hockey actually finds such a special place in the Kodava culture that they even have a Kodava Hockey Festival every year and what's more, this hockey festival has been entered in the Limca Book of Records as the largest hockey tournament in the world.

Prakash Padukone won the All England Badminton Championships in 1980, and Mahesh Bhupathi has won many grand slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles. Then there is Pankaj Advani, the maestro of cue sports, who hails from Bangalore. He has won three world titles by the tender age of 20, which includes Amateur World Snooker Championship in 2003 and the World Billiards Championship in 2005.

The people of Karnataka and tourists to Karnataka, have interest in a range of adventure sports like angling, rock climbing, go-karting, aero sports and water sports. Karnataka has vast areas of forests with plenty of mountains, which make for a perfect setting for camping and trekking for people who love adventure. The Western Ghats, with its wide biodiversity hotspots, gives the trekker an experience of a lifetime.

Tourism of Karnataka

The state of Karnataka has many places of interest for the tourists. Most of the land in Karnataka lies on an elevation, at an average height of 1500 ft. above the sea level. Karnataka has a long coastline adjoining the Arabian Sea and because of this, you will find a lot of beautiful beaches with shimmering silvery sands and azure blue seawaters rushing to kiss your feet. Some of the famous beaches of Karnataka are Bhatkal beach, Murudeshwar beach, Kurumgad beach and Malpe beach. The beachtourism of Karnataka is a wonderful option to spend your holidays.

When you move from the coast towards inland, you will find the Western Ghats running through Karnataka. Here you will find a lot of thick forests and plenty of wildlife. All total, Karnataka is home to 25 wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks. Kudremukh National Park, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Bannarghetta National Park, etc. are havens for the intrepid travellers. These are wild gestures ofKarnataka tourism which you would find hard to resist.

 

There are many famous temples in Karnataka like the Mookambigai Temple, Kukke Subramaniam Temple, Marudeswar Temple, Marikamba Temple, Udupi Krishna Temple. Sringeri, which was one of the seats of Adi Shankaracharya, is an important destination for religious tourism. Here Sharadamba Temple attracts hordes of pilgrims. Shravanabelagola is a must visit site. It is an important Jain pilgrimage centre. Here, besides soaking in the religious ambience, get astounded by the magnificent statue of Gommateshwara, which happens to be the tallest monolithic statue in the world. It is the statue of a great Jain king Gangaraya, who turned into a saint. The statue, which was built by his general as a tribute to him, stands at 17.38 metres height.

As far as architectural wonders go, the Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur is another historical site and an architectural wonder worth visiting. The magnificent structure has the second largest dome in the world. Without viewing the cave temples in the historical town of Badami and exploring the rock-cut temples at Aihole, you can neither get a holistic view of the Badami Chalukyan style of architecture, and nor of Karnataka's rich historical and religious heritage. The Hoysala Temples at Belur and Halebidu, which were built with soap stones, deserve awe-inspiring stops in your crowdedKarnataka tourism itinerary.

At the same time, there are abundant places where tourists who are adventurous can go trekking, rock climbing, aero sporting and river rafting. For nature lovers, the state has a cascade of beauty to offer, quite literally. Jog Falls, which is India's tallest single-tiered waterfall, makes the tourists spellbound with its awesome beauty. Magod Falls, Unchalli Falls, Shivanasamudra Falls are the other important waterfalls of Karnataka.

Bangalore, which is the capital of the state of Karnataka, was founded by a local chieftain named Kempe Gowda, in the year 1537. This city is virtually a huge garden which has well laid out roads, lined with blossoming trees on either sides.The city has a salubrious climate, but nowadays, due to global warming and the increase in the population of the city caused by the development in the IT sector, the weather has started to change slowly.

Mysore is another must visit destination for any tourist coming to Karnataka. This city is the former capital of the Wodeyars, who were the erstwhile rulers of the state. History in the form of splendid architectures, dots the landscape of this city. Mysore is known as the city of palaces as there are many charming palaces, some of which have been converted to hotels. Don't miss the Mysore Palace, which is a timeless statement in grandeur and style. The most important festival in Mysore is the Dussehra, which is a must see for any tourist. This ten-day festival is celebrated with pomp and style, and is a very colourful and joyous occasion.

Another place in Mysore which should not be missed is the Brindavan Gardens, which has a lot of water parks and lovely green vegetation. Before the Switzerland craze took over, it was one of the favourite shooting spots for filmmakers.

The tourism of Karnataka caters to a wide range of tourist interests, and archaeology can be one of them. Tourists can also visit the famous Hampi heritage site, which was the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagara kings. Here the remnants of history reflect romance in ruins. This place has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and each stone has a story of its own to tell. The site dates back to the fourteenth century. Close by you have the Tungabadhra Dam and the Raghavendra Swamy Temple, dedicated to Saint Raghavendra.

Eating Out in Karnataka

Besides being a popular tourist destination, Karnataka is identified as a gourmet's delight with its wide array of traditional and modern delicacies. Every region of the state has its tradition of unique cuisine. It offers a huge variety of dishes such as purely vegetarian Lingayat cuisine, the Bunt and Madhwa Brahmin cuisine of Mangalore, and the Gowda cuisine. Eating out in Karnataka includes great variety, ranging from tempting rawa dosa to crisp fried fish platters. You can get all types of hot and spicy food, that is served with the spicy chutneys. All the major cities in Karnataka including Bangalore, Belgaum, Shimoga and Mangalore are dotted with several good restaurants offering south and north Indian dishes, as well as Chinese and Continental delicacies. Eating out in Karnataka offers a golden opportunity to enjoy typical south Indian food, including rice, sambar, rasam, kosambari, palya, papads, buttermilk and pickles. In north Karnataka, you can enjoy jolada roti, yennegai, soppu palya, pulses palya as well as five different varieties of pickles and pudis. The coastal region of Karnataka is popular for kotte idlis, which are steamed in jackfruit leaf and served with chutney and sambar. Belgaum is very famous for its sweet preparation, k unda.

Eating out in Karnataka is a pampering experience for the tourists. Besides south Indian delicacies, they can enjoy Konkani, Mangalorean and Coorgi cuisines. The Konkani cuisine in Karnataka is prepared by using the freshly grind ingredients. Every dish is cooked with abundant use of grated coconut and creamy coconut milk. The dishes like neer dosas (thin pancakes), sannas, appams and dumplings are prepared from soaked and ground cereals and dals. Fish, crabs and chicken are made in freshly made coconut paste.

The Mangalorean cuisines offer the rice-based recipes, having a mixture of fresh coconut, chillies and tamarind. The Mangalorean delicacies include red grain rice, sannas (idli fluffed with yeast or toddy), pancakes, neer dosa, rice rotis and kori roti (a crisp, wafer-thin rice dish served with chicken curry). The Mangalorean food is characterized by a generous amount of spinach, besale, bamboo shoots and raw bananas.

The Coorgi cuisine is distinctive with items like nool puttu (rice noodles), pandi cury (succulent pork curry), koli curry (chicken curry), kadambuttu (rice dumplings) and votti (rice roti). Eating out in Karnataka can't be complete without tasting dosas, chutney and sambar. The city of Bangalore is known as the Mecca for the dosa hunters. The Udupi Sri Krishna Bhavan, Vidyarthi Bhavan and Mavalli Tiffin Room are three popular restaurants offering the finest dosas.

Along with hot and spicy dishes, Karnataka is famous for its array of sweet dishes. Some of the popular desserts of Karnataka are chiroti, obbattu, Mysore pak, kunda from Belgaum, and Dharwad peda, etc. There are many excellent restaurants in Karnataka, established in various cities of the state.

Some of the most popular restaurants that are ideal for eating out in Karnataka are Alampur Bar and Restaurant, Amaravathi Restaurant, Anand Sweets and Savouries, Aromas of China, Banjara The Restaurant, Canopy Restaurant, Chinese Room, Cinnamon, Club Cabana, Crescent Avenue, Dahlia, Gangotree, Gardenia Restaurant, Hotel Chandrika, Hypnos, Mainland China, Treat Restaurant, Xiang Shan, Kabab Studio, etc. Besides these restaurants, all the luxurious hotels in Karnataka have their own multi-cuisine restaurants. Karnataka undoubtedly provides the right kind of food for the authentic food lover. When in Karnataka, one must make it a point to taste the local dishes, which are mostly vegetarian but are really tasty.