Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday hit back at actor-politician Kamal Haasan over his controversial comment that the Kannada language was born out of Tamil, calling it a reflection of ignorance and a disregard for historical facts.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said, “Kannada has a very long and independent history. Kamal Haasan doesn’t seem to know the facts. Kannada is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and has its own literary and linguistic tradition.”
The remark from the Tamil actor came during a recent public interaction, where he claimed linguistic and cultural overlaps between Tamil and Kannada, and went on to suggest that Kannada may have evolved from Tamil — a statement that sparked immediate backlash across Karnataka, including from scholars, politicians, and common citizens.
Siddaramaiah added, “Languages in India have evolved in parallel and have influenced one another. But to say Kannada was born out of Tamil is not just incorrect but disrespectful to Kannada heritage.”
Linguists and historians have also weighed in, affirming that Kannada and Tamil are both part of the Dravidian language family but have developed independently for over two millennia. Kannada’s rich literary history, with works dating back to at least the 5th century CE, has long been a source of pride for Kannadigas.
Several Kannada organizations and political leaders have demanded a clarification or apology from Kamal Haasan, while urging public figures to avoid making such unverified historical claims.
As the issue continues to stir strong emotions in Karnataka, Haasan has yet to respond officially to the criticism.
FAQ
Q1: What did Kamal Haasan say about the Kannada language?
A: Kamal Haasan recently stated that the Kannada language was “born out of Tamil,” implying that it evolved from the Tamil language. This statement sparked strong reactions in Karnataka.
Q2: How did Siddaramaiah respond to Kamal Haasan’s remark?
A: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah dismissed the claim, saying Kannada has a “very long history” and Kamal Haasan “doesn’t know the facts.” He emphasized that Kannada is an independent and ancient Dravidian language.
Q3: Is there any historical basis for Kamal Haasan’s statement?
A: No. While Kannada and Tamil are both Dravidian languages and have influenced each other culturally, linguistic scholars agree that Kannada evolved independently and has its own ancient script and literature dating back over 1,500 years.
Q4: Has Kamal Haasan responded to the criticism?
A: As of now, Kamal Haasan has not issued an official response to the backlash or Siddaramaiah’s comments.
Q5: What has been the public reaction in Karnataka?
A: Many Kannadigas, language activists, and political leaders have condemned the remark, calling it historically inaccurate and disrespectful. Some have demanded an apology or clarification from Haasan.
Q6: Are there similarities between Kannada and Tamil?
A: Yes, as members of the Dravidian language family, both languages share some structural similarities and ancient cultural ties. However, they have distinct scripts, phonetics, and literary traditions.
Publish on may 28,2025 by :selvi