Smt. Veeramma Gangasiri Women’s College was founded in 1965 AD. Kannada department has existed from the inception. Scholars like Prof. S S Alagura have taught in this Institution. And the likes of Prof. Shivsharan Patil Jawali, Dr. Shakuntala Duragi and Dr. Saraswati Chimmalagi and Dr. Meenakshi Bali have taken the baton forward.

This Department teaches both Kannada language and literature to Students from different faculties of Humanities, Physical Science, Commerce and Business Management. Students from Humanities Department learn Kannada as an optional subject for six semesters. Initially started by 15 Students, this Department now has 350 Students, who learn Kannada as both Primary Language and optional subject. Now as per NEP – 2020, 8 Semesters are there.The division strives to develop Kannada as a culture and not just the language and literature. Kannada is the mother tongue of this region. It is taught in such a way that Students learn the language well enough to write, read and speak fluently and clearly. Efforts are also being made to imbibe the culture of Kannada language among the non-Kannada speaking children.

Kannada Sahitya Sangha – Kannada department has set up Kannada Sahitya Sangha which organizes extracurricular activities like seminars, workshops, discussions, language festivals, study circles etc., A novel series of program called ‘Poet and Poetry’is being conducted to introduce Students to the rich heritage of the language and culture. Poets, Writers and Scholars from across the State belonging to various literature formats have come to our Department under this popular program series. Literary Quiz, Essay Competition, Poetry writing contest, Speech Competition are also organized to improve the mastery of language. New books are being introduced under the program “Mastakakkondu Pustaka” to develop the reading habit. Class seminars are held regularly. Field work is encouraged to make the Students aware of and appreciate the rich regional folklore. Students are assigned to do small scale research in culture and folklore and collect old proverbs, tirades, Moharram songs, Haikus, chaja songs etc., which are abundant in the socio-cultural milieu of the region. Study tours, picnics, etc. are arranged during various occasions.

Students of Kannada department are in the forefront in any activities conducted in the College as organisers, participants and competitors. They have won laurels and trophies for the College at State and National Level Events. The average result has stood at 90 to 100 percentage. Over 50 percent of the Students pass with First Class grades each year. It is a matter of pride that Kannada Students are at the forefront of any cultural and linguistic program in the College.

The alumni of this Department have had successful careers and are well placed in different professions as lecturers, school teachers, journalists, officers, lawyers, and police. Above all, they have been exemplary individuals engaged in various social activities as responsible citizens.

This Kannada Department is making immense contribution to the overall development and enrichment of Kannada language, culture and literature.