Pre-16th century literature Mysore literature in Kannada

by mid-16th century, kannada literature had been influenced 3 important socio-religious developments: jainism (9th–12th centuries), veerashaivism (devotion god shiva, 12th century), , vaishnavism (devotion god vishnu, 15th century). in addition, writings on secular subjects remained popular throughout period.

jain works written in classical champu metre , centred on lives of tirthankars (saints), princes , personages associated jainism. veerashaiva literature (1150–1200 ce), comprising pithy poems called vachanas (lit. utterance or saying ) propagated devotion god shiva written prose-poems, , lesser extent in tripadi metre. 13th century, veerashaiva writers made saints of 12th century protagonists of writings , established native metres such ragale (lyrical compositions in blank verse) , shatpadi.

the vaishnava writers of 15th , 16th century vijayanagara empire consisted of brahmin commentators wrote under royal patronage, , itinerant haridasas, saint-poets spread philosophy of madhvacharya using simple kannada in form of melodious songs. haridasa poets used genres such kirthane (compositions based on rhythm , melody), suladi (rhythm-based) , ugabhoga (melody-based). overall, kannada writings had changed marga (formal) desi (vernacular) , become more accessible commoner.