Introduction

The Department of Kannada, Mangalore University, first established as the Post-graduate Centre for Kannada, affiliated to Mysore University in the year 1968, has developed into a full pledged SVP Institute of Kannada Studies. It has a history of glorious service of more than five decades and Kannada scholars like Prof. S.V. Parameshwara Bhatta, Prof. G. Varadaraja Rao, Dr. Gundmi Chandrashekhara Aithal, Prof. H.J. Lakkappa Gowda, Prof. Shrinivasa Havanoor and Prof. B.A. Viveka Rai, Prof K Chinnappa Gowda, Prof K Abhay Kumar, Prof Sabiha have contributed immensely to the development of this department and are the architects of this Institute.

The facilities available at the Institute include a Departmental Library, an Archive Cell, Information Bureau, a Recording Studio, Home Theatre and a Computer Laboratory. A special mention may be made of the centuries old rare palm leaf and paper manuscripts, rare books and journals collections which are protected and preserved scientifically.  This collection was possible due to the special financial assistance given by institutions such as the Department of Culture, National Archives for Preservation and Publication grant from University Grants Commission. Among the more acclaimed publications are   Shri Bhagavatho, (A Tulu Epic)  Kadangodlu Shankara Bhat’s unpublished writings, The Initial Phase of Kannada Novels, Peruvayi Subbayya Shetty’s Tulu Proverbs, An Anthology of Ancient Yakshagana Works, Essays of Coastal Karnataka,  Short  Stories of Coastal Karnataka,  Kannada Journals and Woman, The Relevance of  Editorials etc.

At present, the Institute is completed in four major research projects funded by the Government of  Karnataka and they are 1.  Regional Languagues 2. The Cultural Glossary of   D.K., Udupi and Kodagu Districts, 3. The Ritual Traditions of D.K. Udupi and Kodagu Districts. 4. The Organizations and Movements in D.K. Udupi and Kodagu Districts.

The ongoing project is SAP from UGC. The title  of the project is  “Study of Multi- Literary and Multi- Cultural Traditions of Coastal Karnataka. Multilingual and multicultural concept refers to the people of Dakshina Kannada, the southern coastal district of Karnataka between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, traditionally known as Tulunadu and also called South Kanara. Tulu, one of the South Dravidian languages, is a dominant regional language in this multilingual area. Though Tulu is mainly spoken/ link language few other Dravidian Languages/ dialects viz Beary, Havyaka, Gowda kannada, Brahmin Tulu are also prevalent in this area. Kannada is the big South Dravidian Language which surrounds the Tulu. Kannada is the most important as the official language of Karnakata. The speakers of Malayalam in Kerala are close neighbours, closer than the Tamil and Telugu speakers. Language skills are common in Tulunadu. Many Tulu speakers command two, three or four languages. From this perspective, a comparative study between Kannada, Tulu and other languages and their literary traditions is necessary. This proposed project aims at a comparative analysis of various languages and its literary traditions found in this multilingual and multicultural zone. This study would reveal the uniqueness, as well as the salient features of the Kannada literary tradition of this region.

Mission

1. Excellent academic and infrastructural facilities
2. Quality in teaching learning and research
3. Preserve regional languages, folklore and culture
4. Study literature beyond conventional norms and project it as a knowledge system
5. Provide an ambience to think critically and act creatively

The S.V.P Institute of Kannada Studies has been conducting M.A and Ph.D. courses in Kannada Literature. Over the years it has also emphasized a study of local cultures and languages. The faculty members have interested themselves in not merely traditional literary studies but also folklore, culture women’s study and ethnic studies.

This 52 year old institute is well furnished with large well-ventilated class rooms, a departmental library and a computer facility with 20 connections, besides well-equipped Studio and Home Theatre Hall.  The last two facilitate recording of face to face interviews and their broadcast.

The Departmental Library contains not merely books that have been donated by various benefactors but also a rare collection of Palm manuscripts. It also prossesses a rare collection of newspapers and periodicals of 20^th century such as Swadeshabhimani, Navayuga, Suhasini, Shrekrishna Sukti,Vasantha, Jeevana.

 It also houses the dissertations submitted by our M.A  Dissertations,  M.Phil (23)  thesis and Ph.D (79)  thesis  which are made available to students and interested researchers as per needs.

The Insititute also houses various Chairs such as Sri Dharmastala Manjunatheshwara Tulu Peetha, Dr. K. Shivarama Karantha Peetha, Kanakadasa Research Centre,. Kodava  Samskrithika Adhyayana Peetha, Sri Ambigara Chowdaiah Adhyayana Peetha, Mahakavi Rathnakara Varani Adhyayana peetha which facilitate our students to develop further reading and interest in those areas.

Interested students and faculty have come together to establish a museum which has preserved local antiques and artefacts related to worship and culture in the region.  The Dr. Dayananada Pai and Sri Satish Pai Yakshagana study Centre too is run under the direction of the departmental faculty.