Harihara Biography | Poet

Harihara (or Harisvara) (Kannada : ) was a noted Kannada poet and writer in the 12th century. A native of Halebidu in modern Hassan district, he came from a family of accountants (Karnikas ) and initially served in that capacity in the court of Hoysala King Narasimha I (1152–1173 CE). Later, he moved to Hampi and authored many landmark classics. Among his important writings, the Girijakalyana written in champu metre (mixed prose-verse) is considered one of the enduring classics of Kannada language.