Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies

Dr. Ganganaik K.N Designation Director Email Id   Phone No +91-821-2419787

Brief History of the Institution

When the University of Mysore was established, one of its avowed objects was to foster the language of the people and give it an important place in the curricula of studies. Kannada M.A. course was started in the University of Mysore in July 1927 at the Maharaja’s College. The Institute of Kannada Studies was established on December 8th, 1966 with a valid purpose of accomplishing an overall development of Kannada language and literature and bringing all teaching as well as research academic activities pertaining to Kannada under one shelter.

Late His Highness Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar- IV, at the time of inaugurating the First Senate of the University, was pleased to say “ I am naturally interested in the special encouragement of Kannada literature which is provided for in the University scheme; we all know that the study of the vernacular is very apt to be neglected nowadays in both schools and colleges and I am glad to see that our University scheme provides for a fuller and more continuous course of teaching not only in Kannada but also in the other vernaculars of Southern India which are spoken in Mysore”. The dream of the founding fathers have been fulfilled and the scholars of the succeeding generation have enriched the Kannada language and literature to serve the society effectively.    

At present the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies has rich potential in human resources and suitable facilities for academic research. The institute has a separate library containing valuable and rare books on indigenous knowledge and priceless manuscripts on cognate areas of enquiry. And also, the faculty members of the Institute have expertise in different fields of Kannada Language and Literature, Comparative Literature and Translation, South Indian Studies, Linguistics and Folklore. There is ample scope for collaborative personal as well as team research in the Institute. The Institute has published more than seven hundred books on different subjects, many of which are directly or indirectly related to indigenous knowledge, culture and language. The prestigious volumes of General Encyclopaedia, Subject Encyclopaedia and the Volumes of Epigraphia Carnatica, a number of textbooks and edited manuscripts and their publications are real credit to the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies. In the Editing Section of the Institute, many old and indigenous manuscripts have already been edited and are ready for publication.

The Translation and Textbooks Bureau of the Institute has brought out more than five hundred textbooks on different subjects.

The Institute has a library of rare volumes of majorly Kannada writers starting from the 19th century and these volumes are not available elsewhere. And hence eminent scholars of the language have been making use of the library for their research.

Since the need of the hour is to keep pace with the changing world where there is a premium on frontier knowledge, the Institute is eager to equip itself fully to live up to its academic and research obligations.

DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES :

KANNADA COURSE FOR FOREIGNERS
 In 1968-69 nine students from Buffalo State College of America visited the University of Mysore under the Student Exchange Programme and learnt Kannada in the Institute of Kannada Studies as a part of their academic Programme. With this the Programme of teaching Kannada for foreigners was started in the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies. Since then foreigners from America, Russia and other countries are coming to the Institute to learn Kannada during various academic years. They are taught to write and speak Kannada independently within a period of SIX months. Besides Kannada language, knowledge about Karnataka, its literature and culture is also imparted to these students to some extent.

KANNADA TRAINING TO PROBATIONARY OFFICERS
In 1996-97 with the help of the financial assistance of the Government of Karnataka training in Kannada was given to IAS, IPS and IFS probationary officers so as to facilitate them to take up an examination conducted by the Government of Karnataka.
Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies is also actively participating in giving professional assistance for the administrative Kannada training workshops conducted by the Directorate of Kannada and Culture of the Government of Karnataka.

LANGUAGE LABORATORY CUM MULTIMEDIA LABORATORY
A language laboratory has also been established in the institute to impart language training to Non-Kannada speakers as well as foreigners. This has also been of good help for researchers in languages and linguistics. And also a Computer Lab has been established in the Institute for teaching and training.

RESEARCH FACILITIES
At present 45 candidates are working for their Ph.D. Degree in the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies pursuing their research work in various subjects like Kannada Language and Literature, Linguistics, Folklore, Translation, South Indian Studies etc., under the guidance of the faculty of the Institute with the help of UGC/RGNFS/SC-ST Cell funds. Other than these, day scholars and hundreds of candidates are pursuing their research work on several subjects leading to Ph.D.

CHAIRS / FELLOWSHIP / MEDALS (IF ANY)

1. Kuvempu Chair

INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS’ ON-GOING RESEARCH PROJECTS