South India has a literary tradition reaching back over two thousand years. The first known literature of South India are the poeticSangams, which were written in Tamil around two to one and a half thousand years ago. The Kannada classicKavirajamarga, written in 850CE by King Amoghavarsha I, makes references to Kannada literature of King Durvinita in early sixth century CE. TamilBuddhistcommentators of the tenth century CE,Nemrinathammakes references to Kannada literature of fourth century CE Distinct Malayalam and Telugu literary traditions developed in the following centuries. The artistic expressions of the South Indian people show their admiration of the magnificence of nature and its rhythms. Some of the works includeSilappadhikarambyIlango Adigal,Tholkappiamwritten by Tholkappiar, Thiruvalluvar’sThirukural,Kumaravyasa'sKarnata Bharata Katamanjari,Pampa'sVikramarjuna Vijaya,Andhra Maha Bharatamuby the three poets namely Nannaya, Tikkana and Errana,Shiva SharanabyBasavannaand Akka Mahadevi'sVachanas. In South Indianliteratureand philosophy,womenare considered very powerful. A married woman is regarded as auspicious, hershaktior mother-feminine power, protects and empowers her husband and their children. ContemporaryKannadawriters have received eightJnanapith awardswhich is the highest for anyIndian language.