Kannada University, which is also called as Hampi University or Hampi Kannada University came into existence in the year 1991 and it is a higher education university operating from the city of Hampi in the Indian state of Karnataka. The university was established with the objective of developing the language of Kannada and promotion of folklore, culture, traditions and literature in the state. The university was established by the government of Karnataka through the Kannada University Act 1991 and even though the university came into existence only in the year 1991, the demand for such a university was felt right from the middle of 1980s.

Before the establishment of this university, the Karnataka Government established a Commission under the chairmanship of Mr. Sadasiva Wodevar for looking after the demand for such a university in the state. After consulting with different representatives of the people, literacy personalities, social activists, political thinkers, educational experts and intellectuals, the committee recommended the establishment of the much-needed University for Kannada through its report. Kannada University offers education under the faculties of Sciences, Social Sciences, Fine Arts and Languages. The names of departments functioning under each of these faculties are given below:

Faculty of Language & Literature:

• Department of Women’s Studies

• Department of Manuscriptology

• Department of Translation Studies

• Department of Dravidian Studies

• Department of Kannada Language Studies

• Department of Kannada Literature

Faculty of Fine Arts:

• Department of Sculpture and Paintings

Faculty of Social Sciences:

• Department of Development Studies

• Department of Tribal Studies

• Department of Epigraphy

• Department of Archaeology & Ancient History

• Department of History

• Department of Music and Dance

• Department of Folklore Studies

Courses offered:

The list of courses offered by the Kannada University under different categories is given below:

Teaching Regular Courses:

• Master of Philosophy & Doctor of Philosophy under all departments mentioned above

Innovative Regular Courses:

• M.A., Ph. D integrated course (Kannada literature and Folklore)

• Diploma in Sculpture

• Bachelor of Fine Arts

• Diploma in Music (Sangeetha)

• Bachelor of Arts in Music (Sangeetha)

Distance Education Courses:

Post graduate diplomas:

• Bashanthara Adhyayayayana (Translation Studies)

• Kriyatmaka Kannada (Functional Kannada)

• Dalita Adhyayana (Dalit Studies)

• Puratatva, Samskriti Mattu Pravasodyama (Archaeology, Culture and Tourism)

• Mahila adhyayana (Women’s Studies)

• Karnataka Adhyayana (Karnataka Studies)

• Dravida Adhyayana (Dravidian Studies)

Post-Matriculation Diplomas:

• Abhivriddhi Samvahana (Development Communication)

• Karakushala Kalegalu (Handicrafts)

• Janapada Sangita (Folk-Music)

• Naataka Kale (Theatre Arts)

• Paaramparika Jnana (Traditional Knowledge)

Certificate Courses:

• Samshodhana Vidhana (Research Methodology)

• Telugu

• Tamil

• Malayalam

In addition to these courses, Kannada University is also engaged in research activities in a number of disciplines and some of the major research projects undertaken by the university are:

• Professional Compilation of Glossaries

• Editing of Tribal and Folk Epics

• Survey and Publication of Inscriptions

• Compilation of Temple Encyclopedias

• Preparation of catalogues of manuscripts

• History of Minor dynasties

In the language of Kannada, the following works were brought out by the university:

• Translation of Dravidian Etymological by Burrow and Emanuel

• Janapada Kalegala Kosha

• Hampi Janapada

In addition to these, several external projects have also been accomplished by the university so far.