Question

Who wrote the first grammar book Shabdhamani Darpani?
A. Rashtrakutas
B. King Arikesari
C. AdiKavi Pampa
D.Keshiraja

Answer 1

Hint: Shabdhamani Darpani is a comprehensive Kannada grammar work. Shabdhamani Darpani work basically means " Jewel mirror of grammar " and it is considered a writer of half value.

Complete step by step answer:
Kesiraja was born in thirteenth-century CE, he is a Kannada grammarian. Kesiraja was a poet, grammarian and writer. Kesiraja had a great passion for grammar. He is particularly known for his work Shabdhamani Darpani. He was born into a family with a literary background. Mallikarjuna, a Kannada poet, was his father and brother in law of the epic writer Janna. He is the grandson of the priest Sankara who was a noted poet of the Yadav capital and King Narasimha. He followed the Karnataka school's Sanskrit grammar model. He has an originality of his own in his writing. In the Hoysala court, he was the poet. In 1260 Shabdhamani authorized him and penned in metre of Kannada followed by a vrutti style. Till now Shabdhamani Darpani remains comprehensive and authoritative work on Kannada grammar. Shabdhamani Darpani is the earliest work of its kind, significantly narrates the principal of old Kannada language and is a work of unique significance.

So, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: From the point of view of Lexicography Shabdhamani Darpani is an important job. This work has a list of verbal roots, where a number of rare words with their meaning has been quoted. Shabdhamani Darpan in the very beginning in a preface section Kesiraja explains the significance of grammar.