Navodaya (New Birth) period, generally dated from 1900 to 1940s, refers to the beginning of modern Kannada literature, owing largely to the influence of Western education, literature, and modernity. Many Kannada scholars called it a period of renaissance in Kannada literature. These decades saw several writers taking on the responsibility of nurturing modern Kannada literature through translations from European languages. Poetry, the short story, the novel, drama, folklore, and criticism found new scope, shape, and meaning at this time, with poetry dominating the literary scene. Most of the writers active in the Navodaya were middle-class, English-educated scholars.