Proto-Kannada is said to have evolved after separating from its source around c. 1500 BCE, while its script evolved during Ashokan times around the 4th or 3rd century BCE from ancient Brahmi. Halegannada (Kannada: ಹಳೆಗನ್ನಡ) is the Kannada language which has transformed from the 5th century CE during the reign of the Kadambas of Banavasi (ancient royal dynasty of Karnataka 345-525 CE). The Modern Kannada language has evolved in four phases over the years. From the Purva Halegannada in the 5th century (as per early epigraphic records), to the Halegannada (Old Kannada) between the 9th and 14th century, the Nadugannada (Middle Kannada) between the 14th and 18th century, it has evolved to the present day Hosagannada (Modern Kannada) from 1800 to present. Hosagannada (Modern Kannada) is the official language of the state of Karnataka and is one of the 22 official national languages of the Republic of India and is the native language of approximately 65% of Karnataka's population.

Evolution: Proto Kannada -> Pre Old Kannada -> Old Kannada -> Middle Kannada -> New Kannada

Dr. G.S. Shivarudrappa (Kannada: ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಶಿವರುದ್ರಪ್ಪ) (born February 7, 1926) is a Kannada poet, writer and researcher who was awarded the title of Rashtrakavi by the Government of Karnataka on November 1, 2006.

G.S. Shivarudrappa was born in Shikaripura, in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. His father was a school teacher. He did his primary and secondary schooling in Shikaripura.

Mr. Shivarudrappa who is a known "Navodaya" poet has made a lasting contribution to the Kannada literature.

Born on February 7, 1926, Mr. Shivarudrappa has worked as a Kannada professor at the Maharaja College of Mysore and later at the Postgraduate Kannada Department of Bangalore University. He received the Central Sahitya Akademi Award in 1984 for his literary contribution. He has also bagged several awards including the Karnataka State Sahitya Academy and Soviet Land Nehru Award. He presided over the Akhil Bharatiya Kannada Sahitya Sammelana held in Davanagere in 1992.

His main collections of poems are Saamagaana, Karthika, Deepada Hejje, Preeti Illada Mele, Devashilpa, Gode, Anavarana, Tereda Daari and Kaadina Kattalalli. (The Hindu, 02' Nov 2006)

Girish Kasaravalli (born 1950) (Kannada: ಗಿರೀಶ್ ಕಾಸರವಳ್ಳಿ) is an Indian film director, in the Kannada film industry, and one of the pioneers of the Parallel Cinema. Known Internationally, he has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film four times, Ghatashraddha (1977), Tabarana Kathe (1986), Thaayi Saheba (1997) and Dweepa (2001). In 2011, he was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award by Government of India.

A gold medalist from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Girish Kasaravalli started his career in films with Ghatashraddha (1977), over the next 30 years he directed eleven films and a tele serial. The Film he made to fulfill his Diploma "Avashesh" was awarded the best Student Film. Avashesh also won the National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film, for that year.

Girish Kasaravalli was born in Kesalur, a village in the Tirthahalli taluk in Shimoga district in 1950 to Ganesh Rao and Lakshmi Devi. He had his primary education in Kesalur and middle school education in Kammaradi. Hailing from a family of book lovers, he was initiated to reading books from a young age by his father. His father was also a patron of Yakshagana, a folk system of dance, native to Karnataka. All this formed a basis for a life rich with creative aspirations. He was also attracted to the touring talkies which visited his village once in a while to screen popular Kannada films. This was his first exposure to the world of Cinema. Another relative who supported his love for creative arts was his maternal uncle K.V.Subbanna, a Magsaysay award winner who founded Neenasam, a critically acclaimed and popular drama company.