 Harihara (or Harisvara, 1160), who came from a family of "karnikas" (accountants) in Hampi, was one of the earliest Veerashaiva writers who was not part of the "Vachana" poetic tradition.He is considered one of the most influential Kannada poets of the Hoysala era.A non-traditionalist, he has been called "poet of poets" and a "poet for the masses".