Controversy Erupts Over Kamal Haasan’s Remarks on Kannada Language; Linguists and Activists Respond
Bengaluru | May 30, 2025 — A heated linguistic and cultural controversy has erupted in Karnataka after actor-politician Kamal Haasan allegedly claimed that Kannada originated from Tamil, in the presence of Kannada film icon Dr. Shivarajkumar during an event related to his upcoming film Thug Life. The statement, widely perceived as factually incorrect and disrespectful, has triggered widespread outrage, particularly from pro-Kannada organizations.
Kamal Haasan’s Remarks and Shivarajkumar’s Silence Spark Outrage
Kamal Haasan reportedly made the remark in a light-hearted manner, but what angered activists and language enthusiasts was the absence of immediate rebuttal from Shivarajkumar, who was seated beside him during the event. “Initially, we remained silent, thinking it might have been a spontaneous slip. But even after the event, Shivarajkumar defended Haasan instead of correcting him. Not once did he demand an apology from Haasan on behalf of Kannadigas,” said a statement issued by Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV).
Shivarajkumar’s long-standing admiration for Kamal Haasan is well known. Recalling an old anecdote, the statement remarked, “It is said that after meeting Kamal Haasan for the first time, Shivarajkumar didn’t bathe for three days out of reverence. But does admiration for an actor justify suppressing love for one’s language?”
Karnataka’s Cultural Legacy at Stake
Dr. Rajkumar, a legendary figure in Kannada cinema and a symbol of Kannada pride, has long been regarded not just as a brilliant actor but also as a cultural icon. “As his eldest son, Shivarajkumar is held to high standards. It is painful that he failed to speak up when a distorted and insulting claim was made about our language,” said the statement. “We loved and prayed for Shivarajkumar during his illness. But we expect him to uphold Kannada’s dignity.”
Yaduveer Wadiyar Draws Fire for ‘Sanskrit-Origin’ Claim
Adding fuel to the fire, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar recently claimed that Kannada originated from Sanskrit and Prakrit. KRV lashed out at him, calling the statement “ignorant and irresponsible.” “Anyone with basic linguistic understanding would know this is false. Kannada and Sanskrit belong to different language families — Dravidian and Indo-Aryan, respectively,” the statement noted, adding that some Sanskrit enthusiasts in Karnataka periodically spread such misinformation.
“Statements like these warrant not only rebuttal but also education. If required, we are ready to organize lessons for the MP from qualified linguists,” KRV added.
Linguistic Evidence Debunks Sanskrit and Tamil Origin Theories
Experts in Dravidian linguistics have long established Kannada’s independent origins. Renowned linguist Robert Caldwell, in his seminal 1856 work A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Languages, clearly classified Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam as part of the Dravidian family, distinct from Sanskrit and other Indo-Aryan languages.
Further, scholars like Dr. Bhadriraju Krishnamurti and Franklin Southworth have provided evidence that Proto-Dravidian was spoken as early as 2500 BCE, and Kannada developed along a separate path from Tamil, although both share the Southern Dravidian lineage. “Shared roots do not mean one language was born from another,” the statement emphasized.
Linguistic features such as agglutinative grammar, distinct lexicon, and unique phonetics confirm Kannada’s evolution independent of Sanskrit influence. Although Sanskrit contributed loan words, especially in literary and administrative domains, the core of Kannada — as seen in rural dialects and early inscriptions — remains Dravidian.
Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Vows to Intensify Campaign
KRV warned that it would launch a state-wide agitation against those spreading falsehoods about Kannada’s origins. “We are not afraid of police, cases, or jails. Kannada has given us the strength to fight any injustice. No matter how powerful the individual, if they insult our language, we will protest,” said KRV.
They demanded a public apology from both Kamal Haasan and Yaduveer Wadiyar and called for greater linguistic awareness before public figures speak on such matters.
The debate underscores the deep emotional and cultural significance of the Kannada language in Karnataka and the continued efforts by activists to safeguard its legacy against misinformation and marginalization.
💬 Quotes
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“Kannada and Tamil are siblings, not parent and child. One did not give birth to the other.” – Prof. M. Chidanandamurthy
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“It’s shocking that even after Kamal Haasan’s statement, Shivarajkumar hasn’t said a word to defend Kannada.” – Karave Representative
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“Linguistics clearly shows Kannada has its own roots in the Dravidian family. This is not a matter of opinion, it is scholarly consensus.” – Linguist Dr. B. Krishna Murthy
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“Kannada was not born from Sanskrit. Borrowed words don’t define a language’s origin.” – A.K. Ramanujan
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“No matter how big a star or politician you are, insulting Kannada will not go unchallenged.” – Karnataka Rakshana Vedike Spokesperson
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“We expect Shivarajkumar, son of Dr. Rajkumar – the symbol of Kannada pride – to stand up for his language.” – Karave Activist
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“Yaduveer Odewur’s statement on Sanskrit is a display of ignorance. Let him learn before he speaks.” – Kannada Activist
