With the introduction of Kannada as a subject at the graduation level by the University of Bombay in 1921, at the Karnatak College which was started in 1917, Kannada was prescribed at the first year and at the intermediate year. So Kannada Department is one of the oldest Departments of the college.

VISION:

• Create department of national repute to pronounce the eminence and significance of Kannada language and its classical prospects.

MISSION: Create and develop an exclusive academic work-culture leading to the enhancement of intellectual property of the department.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE DEPARTMENT:

• Established in the year 1921.
• Linguistics wing was started in the academic year 1974-75 when Dr. R. C. Hiremeth, a well known linguist, of India was the Vice-Chancellor of the Karnatak University.
• Folk Literature wing was started in the academic year 2002-03.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI:

• Central Academy Awardees:
  • Dr. S. S. Bhusanurmath – 1972
  • Dr. Channaveera Kanavi – 1981
  • Dr. M. M. Kalburgi – 2008
• Vice-Chancellors (Who taught here for a few years):
  • Prof. R. C. Hiremath, Karnatak University, Dharwad
  • Prof. M. M. Kalburgi, Kannada University, Hampi
  • Prof. A. Murigeppa, Kannada University, Hampi
  • Prof. H. M. Maheshwaraiah, Central University of Katnataka, Gulburga.

Now the department has three sections. One section deals with Kannada languages and literature. Another section deals with languages and linguistics. The third one deals with folk literature. As they are inter related disciplines their main aim is to explore the knowledge regarding Kannada, Karnataka and Kannadiga. So attempt has been made to teach Kannada language and literature in the light of the knowledge of Linguistics and Folk literature. There are five permanent faculty members in the department. They are experienced teachers and three of them are Associate Professors. Two are Assistant Professors. Some of our senior teachers are the members of the Board of Studies at different Universities. They play important role in redesigning the syllabus, based on their experiences in teaching at the college and feed back from the students. So changes have been brought by the teachers in the curriculum. For example communication skills, different linguistic domains are being taught to the students in the functional kannada classes. Apart from the central library each permanent faculty of our department has his own library in his room and extends his helping hand towards the students with books whenever they are needed. Few of our students like C. Somashekhara, C. T. Ravi, Ravi Channannavar have succeeded in I.A.S. or K.A.S. exams and now they are the administrators in the public sectors.