Karnataka Folklore University

Karnataka Folklore University (Karnataka Janapada Vishwavidyalaya) is a public state university at Gotagodi in Shiggaon Taluk, Haveri District, established in 2012 under the Karnataka Janapada Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyama (Act of 2011). It is described as the first university in the world dedicated exclusively to folklore studies and the only one in Asia offering university-level degrees in the field.

The university operates from a 230-acre campus and offers MA, M.Sc, M.Phil, and PhD programmes alongside PG Diploma and Certificate courses. Distance education is also available. The curriculum covers folklore, oral traditions, performing arts, material culture, and ethnographic heritage of Karnataka and South Asia, with 17 courses across six streams.

A distinctive feature is the GramaKarnataka Museum, housing folk art and artefact collections. The library holds 58,000 books, and the institution publishes a bi-annual research journal called Jagali. An outreach initiative, "Folklore University towards Common People," extends research into rural communities.

Inaugurated by D.V. Sadananda Gowda (then Chief Minister), with Ambalike Hiriyanna as first Vice-Chancellor. The vision originated from Prof. J.S. Paramashivaiah. Karnataka Folklore University holds UGC recognition and operates under the Governor of Karnataka. The institution provides formal research and degree pathways for folk knowledge systems historically transmitted orally rather than through institutional education.