Adi Karnataka is term used by the Ministry of Home Affairs (India) to denote members of one of the Kannadigas who are primarily indigenous to the Karnataka state, as opposed to the Kannadigas whose ancestors came to present-day Karnataka from other areas like North India.

Adi Karnataka is not synonymous^[1] with Adi Dravida or Adi Andhra. Primary difference between the three being the language used in their lineage. Adi Karnataka people are Kannada speaking people and the Adi Dravida and Adi Andhra people are Tamil and Telugu speaking respectively.

Adi Karnataka are divided into two sub groups: LEFT and RIGHT. Some time commonly called in Kannada as Edgai and Balgai which means right hand left hand.

References