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Karnataka — Culture,
Heritage & Language

Bengaluru IT, Hampi, Mysore Palace, Coorg

Introduction

Karnataka blends the IT skyline of Bengaluru with the ruins of Hampi, the palaces of Mysuru, the beaches of Karwar and the coffee hills of Coorg. It is the cradle of Carnatic music, Vijayanagara grandeur and Yakshagana theatre.

Quick Facts

Capital
Bengaluru
Largest City
Bengaluru
Official Language
Kannada
Formation Date
1 November 1956
Area
191,791 sq km
Population
67,000,000+
Region
South
Type
State
Language
Kannada — a classical language — is official. Konkani, Tulu, Beary, Kodava, Urdu and English are also widely spoken.
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Traditional Dress
Men wear panche (dhoti), kurta and Mysore peta; women wear the Ilkal saree, Mysore silk and Coorgi-style draped sarees.
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Festivals
Mysuru Dasara is the state's most spectacular festival; Ugadi, Karaga, Hampi Utsav, Kambala (buffalo race) and Makar Sankranti are widely observed.
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Cuisine
Bisi Bele Bath, Mysore Pak, Ragi Mudde, Mangalorean Fish Curry, Neer Dosa, Akki Roti, Coorgi Pandi Curry and Dharwad Peda.
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Literature
Eight Jnanpith awards — Kuvempu, D. R. Bendre, Shivaram Karanth, Masti Venkatesha Iyengar, V. K. Gokak, U. R. Ananthamurthy, Girish Karnad and Chandrashekhara Kambara.
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Art Forms
Yakshagana folk theatre, Mysore painting, Bidri ware, sandalwood carving, Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music; Hampi and Pattadakal are UNESCO sites.
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Historical Importance
From the Mauryas, Chalukyas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Empire to Tipu Sultan's Mysore — Karnataka has been a crucible of art, war and architecture.
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Districts & Cities

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