Prof. C.T. Guruprasad

Registrar

Karnataka Janapada Vishwavidyalaya, Gotagodi

From the Administrative Desk

Karnataka State Government should be commended for instituting Karnataka Folklore University, the first in the world. The Onslaught of modernity and globalization has necessitated the establishment of the Folklore University for conserving and enriching folk tradition which is seen fading away from the public memory. The University is only five years old. Established under Karnataka Universities Act 2011, it has its headquarters at Gotagodi Village, NH-4, Haveri District. Exploring social, economic life and set up and constructing a vibrant cultural glory of Karnataka are the principal objectives of the University. 

The University has been granted 160 acres of land in areas such Shiggaon, Gotagodi, Nidagundi, Tadasa and Somapura villages across Haveri District. Different activities have been meticulously planned and prepared to expand its area of functioning. For these varied activities, from 2011-12 the Karnataka Government has sanctioned fund till date and in the year of 2016-17 Karnataka Government has sanctioned 4.88 crores. Besides this, an additional amount of Rs 2.92 crores have been sanctioned for the proposed Learning and Training Centre at Joida in Karwar. This grant is being utilized for research, documentation and academical activities. The 8 PG departments, 13 certificate course and 3 diploma courses are running successfully. The university has plans to introduce 5 years integrated courses of BA-MA, BSc- MSc, BPA-MPA and BBM-MBA. The university has a total of 98 research students in various departments of studies. The recruitment process to appoint permanent teaching staff has already begun. Diploma and Certificate Courses in Traditional Dairy Farming, Traditional Agriculture, and Certificate Courses were started from the academic year Dollu Kunita, Folk Song Tradition, Embroidery, and Traditional Medicinal System have been introduced at Male Mahadeshwara and Bidar centres.  Different Certificate courses are being run at Sri Rambhapuri Jagadguru Veera Gangadhara Arts and Commerce College at Shiggaon. In the current year, a training and learning centre for folk arts has been set up at Joida in Karwar district. Certificate course in Folk Dance and folk song tradition have been introduced at this centre. Karnataka Folklore University is an autonomous body with a specific purpose of study in the eponymous field. The University has initiated many projects such as Karnataka Grama Charitre Kosha, (Village History Encyclopedia), Open Air Museum, Comprehensive Survey of Indigenous Tribal Communities, Kannada Folklore Dictionary and other ambitious projects are under progress. Folklore Encyclopedia project was in progress. Kannada and Culture Department is financially assisting these prestigious projects. Karnataka Thanda Development Corporation Limited has also released fund for the esteemed project of Lambani Folk Literature Multi-facial documentation. Development works concerning basic amenities, buildings, road construction, indoor and outdoor museums, open-air theatre, library, residential quarters for university officers, staff members and also Students hostel building has been completed. The University is making a steady progress by focusing on its efforts to achieve academical accomplishments. Currently, the staff of the university is the only handful but it is hoped immensely that the Folklore University would grow beyond its limits. I am of the firm belief that the University would work towards realizing its dreams and offer its benefits to the people of Karnataka. 

-Prof. C.T. Guruprasad

Registrar