Portal:Karnataka/Intro
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Karnātakā pronunciation (Kannada: ಕನಾ೯ಟಕ) (IPA: [kəɹnɑːʈəkɑː]) is one of the four southern states of India. The state was created in 1956 with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally named state of Mysore, it was renamed as Karnataka in 1973. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa to the northwest, Maharashtra to the north, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest. The state covers an area of 1,91,791 km² or 5.83% of the total geographical area of India. It is the 8th largest Indian state by area, the 9th largest by population and comprises of 29 districts. Kannada is the official and the most widely spoken language in the state.
Several etymologies have been suggested for the name Karnataka. One accepted derivative comes from the Kannada words karu and nādu meaning elevated land. Karu nadu may also be read as Karu (black) and nadu (region); as a reference to the black cotton soil found in the Bayalu Seeme region of Karnataka. During the British Raj, the word Carnatic or Karnatak was used to describe this part of the region in general. With an ancient and rich history that goes back to the paleolithic hand-axe culture, some of the most powerful empires of ancient India called this region home. Great philosophers and musical bards belonging to Karnataka launched socio-religious movements whose ennobling effects have been felt far and wide. Karnataka is the only state in India that boasts of significant contribution to both forms of Indian classical music, the Carnatic music and Hindustani music traditions. Kannada language has received the highest number of Jnanpith awards in India. Bengaluru, popularly known as the Garden city of India is today at the forefront of the rapid economic and technological development that India is experiencing.
