Karnataka Rajyotsava

Kannada Rajyotsava ( _kn. ಕನ್ನಡ ರಾಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸವ), or the Karnataka Formation Day (literally "Birth of the Kannada State") is celebrated on 1 November every year. This was the day in 1956 when all the Kannada speaking regions of south India were merged to form the state of Karnataka.

Unification

On this day in 1956, Mysore state, comprising most of the area of the erstwhile princely state of Mysore, was merged with the Kannada speaking areas of the Bombay and Madras presidencies, as also of the principality of Hyderabad, to create a unified Kannada-speaking subnational entity. The newly unified state initially retained the name "Mysore", which was that of the erstwhile princely state which formed the core of the new entity.

Nomenclature

North Karnataka, Malnad (Canara) and old Mysore were thus the three regions of the newly formed Mysore state. People of North Karnataka did not favour the retention of the name Mysore, as it was closely associated with the erstwhile principality and the southern areas of the new state. In deference to this logic, the name of the state was changed to Karnataka on November 1, 1973. D. Devaraj Urs was the Chief Minister of the state when this landmark decision was taken.

Celebrating Kannada Rajyotsava On November 1st

Kannada is one of the major Dravidian languages of India, spoken predominantly in the southern state of Karnataka. It is the 27th most spoken language in the world, with native speakers called Kannadigas. It is one of the Official languages of India and the official and administrative language of the state of Karnataka.

Kannada Rajyotsava, or the Karnataka Formation Day (literally "Birth of the Kannada State") is celebrated on 1 November every year. This was the day in 1956 when all the Kannada speaking regions of south India were merged to form the state of Karnataka.

November 1, Karnataka will be in a joyous mood. This day is a government holiday. Very few will be out in the streets and community centers chanting Kannada.

Brief History About Kannada Rajyotsava

India became a Republic in the year 1950 and in same year linguistic provinces were formed. The state of Mysore is one such state in south India.

The state of Mysore was created taking into fold various parts of the region, which were ruled by kings. Several districts in, now called North Karnataka and Hyderabad Karnataka were dissolved in the new state. The new state was named after Mysore, which by itself was a princely state.

People of North and Hyderabad area did not accept the name Mysore. People of this region were demanding a change in the name. After prolonged debate the name of the state was changed to Karnataka on November 1, 1973.

Late Devaraj Urs the then Chief Minister of state took this landmark decision. Officially the new state was born on Nov. 1 and on this day every year birthday of the state is celebrated. This is popularly called as Kannada Rajyotsava or Karnataka Rajyotsava. Rajyotsava means "Birth of a state".

Sources

* [http://www.karnataka.com/profile/rajyotsava.shtml/ Karnataka Rajyotsava Details on www.Karnataka.com]
* [http://www.ourkarnataka.com/kannadarajyothsava/ About Kannada Rajyotsava on www.ourkarnataka.com]