It is the great fortune of the local people that on the first of August 1957 the Department of Kannada was opened along with the starting of the Government College Kasaragod. It is a matter of pride that the department has grown steadily over the years. Prof. P. Subraya Bhat was the first Head of the department. Dr. B.K. Thimmappa, Dr. P. Krishna Bhat, Dr. U. Shankaranarayana Bhat, Prof. B. Padmanabha, Prof. M. Vimala Rajakumari, Prof. B. Venugopala Bhat and Prof. P.N. Moodithaya were some of the earlier staff members of the staff. In 1963 Kannada Language & Literature under part III was introduced and P.G. course was started in 1969. The 20th Anniversary of the Department was celebrated in the year 1990. The silver jubilee of the department was celebrated in the year 1995. It became a research centre in 1990, and was inaugurated by Dr. M.K. Prasad, the then Pro-Vice Chancellor of Calicut University. At present there are six research scholars.
From 1984 onwards the department has arranged many activities in association with ‘Kasaragodu Kannada Balaga (R), Vidyanagara’. Every year special Guest lectures are conducted in commemoration of the two late Professors, P. Subraya Bhat and Dr. B.K. Thimmappa. The department has, on various occasions, honoured eminent persons like Sheni Gopalakrishna Bhat (Yakshagana artist), P. Venkataraja Puninchathaya (Tulu scholar), Ms. Indira, Krishna Master (Award winning teachers), Kasaragodu Chinna(Cine actor) and Amrith Someshwara. During the last ten years different seminars were organised on various topics under the sponsorship of UGC, Department of Kannada & Culture and Various Academies of Karnataka. In 1989 ‘D.V.G. Darshana’ a collection of critical essays was published by the department. There has been good participation in these seminars by the students and members of the public. Cultural study tours were arranged. The department was actively involved in the extension work during the X plan at Panchayath levels.
Two refresher courses for the college teachers were conducted. “Kannada Dhwani” a periodical is being published by students under the guidance of the department. The alumni of the department have achieved distinction in various walks of life especially in the field of art and literature. Some of the teachers of this department have presented papers in the National Seminars and published their own books, and articles in reputed journals. Six Research Scholars obtained Ph.D. Degree through this department. This is the only department which provides P.G. studies and Research in Kannada in the whole State of Kerala.
