ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Sanskrit has been a rich literary language in India right from the beginning of the Vedic period. Sanskrit works provide valuable information to existing languages and cultures of India. Realizing its potential and importance, an independent Post-graduate Department of Sanskrit was established in the Karnatak University, Dharwad during 1959. At the outset, teaching arrangements were made, under the leadership of Dr. S.C. Nandimath, [M.A. Ph.D. (London)], Principal, Basaveshwar College, Bagalkot who worked as a Visiting Professor from 1959 to 1961. Then, Dr. K. Krishnamoorthy, [M.A. Ph.D., B.T.], joined as Reader and designated as the Head of the Department. Vidwan Dr.H.P.Malledevaru, Lecturer. (Later Reader upto 1973), Prof. K.T. Pandurangi, [M.A.] and Dr. B.R. Modak, [M.A., Ph.D.] of Karnatak College were also associated with the work in the P.G. Department from 1959 to 1961. Subsequently, Dr. B.R. Modak joined as Reader in 1962. Dr. D.N. Shanbhag, [M.A., Ph.D.] joined the Department as Lecturer in 1969.

Dr. K. Krishnamurthy was promoted as Professor in 1968. He developed the Department, by his numerous publications. Vidwan M.C. Dixit was appointed as Sanskrit Shastri in 1973 and Vidwan Jayatirthachary a Malagi was appointed in that post in 1986. Dr.  Gayatri Verma was appointed as lecturer in 1972 and retired in 1980. Dr. B.K. Khadabadi was associated with the Department to teach Prakrit from 1968-1980. Dr. V.H. Barikeri joined in 1976 Sanskrit Department who went to Gulbarga University in 1980-81. Dr.  Mallikarjun B.  Paraddi joined as Lecturer in the Department in 1975, Dr. Mahadev N. Joshi and Dr. B.A. Dodamani were appointed as Lecturers in Sanskrit in 1985.

            Dr.(Kum.) Nijalingamma V. Koppal joined the Sanskrit Department as Lecturer in 1979. Dr. K.Krishnamoorthy retired as Professor and Chairman in 1984. Dr. B.R. Modak, led the Department as Professor and Chairman from 1984 and retired in 1989. He served the University in different capacities such as member of the Senate, Academic Council, and Local Inquiry Committees etc. The Government of Karnataka awarded Certificate of Merit to Dr. B.R.Modak for his contribution to Sanskrit in December 1988. Dr. D.N. Shanbhag headed the Department from 1986 to 1994, so too Departments of Kannada and Marathi. During his regime, the U.G.C. selected the Department under DSA First Phase programme in Sanskrit, in 1990.  The project undertaken by him was completed in 1993. He worked for the University, as a member of Senate, Academic Council and Syndicate.

Dr. K.B. Archak joined the Department as Lecturer in 1993. Dr. Nijalingamma Koppal retired in 1996. Dr. Chandramouli S. Naikar, joined the Department as Reader in 1998. Dr. Mallikarjuna B. Paraddi, who was a member of the Senate and Academic Council, Continued traditional culture of writing in Sanskrit and retired in 1999. Dr. B.L. Nadoni joined this Department as Reader in 2003. Dr. V. Girishchandra Joined the Department as Asst. Professor. And joined the Karnataka Samskruta University, Bangalore as a Professor in 2013. Dr. Padmavati M. Singari joined the Department as Assistant Professor in 2014. Dr. M.N. Joshi Joined as a Registrar (Administration) Karnatak University, Dharwad in 2014.  Dr. Chandramouli S. Naikar retired in 2015. Dr. M.N. Joshi retired in 2018. Dr. B.L. Nadoni retired in 2020. Dr.Padmavati M. Singari at present Asst. Professor and Co-ordinator in this Department.