Kannada University

Kannada University is a public research university at Hampi (Vidyaranya) in Vijayanagara District, established in 1991 under the Kannada University Act. It is the only university in Karnataka dedicated entirely to the study, preservation, and promotion of a single language and its cultural heritage. The campus sits near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi.

The university is organised into four faculties. The Faculty of Language covers Kannada Literature, Kannada Language Studies, Dravidian Studies, Manuscriptology, Translation Studies, and Women Studies. The Faculty of Social Sciences includes History, Ancient History and Archaeology, Folklore Studies, Epigraphy, Tribal Studies, Development Studies, Anthropology, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Sociology. The Faculty of Fine Arts teaches Visual Arts, Music and Dance, Painting and Sculpture, and Drama. The Faculty of Science focuses on the History of Sciences.

Programmes range from BA and BFA through MA, Integrated MA-PhD, M.Phil, PhD, and D.Litt., alongside distance education options. The university library holds over 2,17,320 books, 1,433 rare manuscripts, and subscriptions to Kannada and English academic journals. Hostel capacity accommodates 700 students and the teaching faculty numbers 61, of whom 60 hold doctoral degrees.

The Nadoja Award, conferred annually since 1995, is equivalent to an Honorary D.Litt. and has recognised over 100 recipients including Kuvempu (1995), Dr. Rajkumar (1999), Bhimsen Joshi (2001), C.N.R. Rao (2002), and Saalumarada Thimmakka (2009). The university maintains the Kuvempu Kannada Study Center at Kuppali and a Prasaranga (Publications division). Kannada University holds UGC recognition and NAAC B grade accreditation.