Historically this place has been the abode of many religions – Buddhism, Jainism, Virashaivism, Vaishnavism, Islam and many popular religious cults like Huligemma cult, Galemma cult, Mylaralinga cult, Balabasava cult which exist to this day. This has been an important place for many kingdoms like Hoysalas, Sindhs, Kapilas, not to speak of the Vijayanagara kingdom which originated here and reigned over most part of South India for more than three centuries. Vijayanagara Kingdom has also been the icon of Kannada identity and has inspired the Karnataka unification movement, symbolically representing unified Karnataka. Hampi has also been the abode of many a well-known Kannada poets like Harihara, Raghavanka, Kumaravyasa and Purandaradasa. Hampi is the treasure house of Indian architecture and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Center.
Vision of the University
- To be a premiere institute in the world specializing in Karnataka Studies.
- To Produce and disseminate all knowledge in Kannada.
- To explore the diverse ethos and culture of Karnataka and sustain it as a pluralistic society.
Mission Statement
- To promote multi-disciplinary research in Kannada on culture, society, economy and polity.
- To make research materials (both discursive as well as material) available to scholars of Karnataka Studies.
- To study the linguistic (textual, oral, performative and discursive) practices of the society in general and marginalized communities in particular.
- To identify multiple knowledge systems with which the communities operate and theorize them.
- To discover, decipher and preserve manuscripts inscribed on leaves, stone and on other materials.
- To develop theory, method, concept and language to meet the research practices of Kannada research community.
- To train and promote the spirit of multi-disciplinary research practices among the students.
- To critically examine and make viable the agricultural, business and other livelihood practices of the communities
- To establish academic and community linkages to take the knowledge to society and to bring back the knowledge underlining their practices.
- To make available research/knowledge in Kannada to both academics and those who are interested through publications, databases and web services.
- To be a platform for scholars of other institutions who are working in the thrust areas recognized by the university.
