Vachana movement- A study into its oral tradition

Literature is the product of the society. It emerges as a mirror to the society. But, folk lore, oral tradition, quotes, sayings etc., are the life blood of society. They are not only the product but also the very essence of the society. They emerge from the everyday talks, debates and discussions. They do not need scholars to write them in the literary style but every layman possesses the capacity to bring out the feelings and experience into words. These sayings are rarely poetic but often prosaic. They might also be sung but singing and attaching musical value to it does harm to them. This is true of the Vachanas also. Although centuries have rolled since the close of Vachana movement, it still has remained a burning topic to discuss. It has given birth to many theories and speculations. It also has provided a platform and space for definitions and deliberations. It has provided opportunities for the researchers in the field of Kannada literary history. This paper attempts to study the Birth, Growth and Legacy of Vachanas as a part of Oral Tradition. It also tries to bring to the light the contributions of not so popular Vachanakaras who lived before and along with the popular contributors and leaders of the Vacahana movement.