Dramas are like true interpreters of our indications, but there is art required to sort and understand them said Michel De Montaigne and it is fact that the Karnatak Arts College the mother of the Karnatak University and also its constituent college is the result of the dream of its founders Dewan Rao Bahadur Rodda Srinivasa Rao and Dewan Bahadur Artal Rudragouda. These two men dared to dream that North Karnataka, then a part of the Bombay Presidency, needed an educational institution for the students of this region they had to go either to Bombay or to Pune to pursue higher studies. Their tireless efforts paid off when in June 1917 the Karnataka College came into existence. The foundation stone of Karnatak College was laid on 20th June 1917 by the then Governer of Bombay (earstwhile Bombay Province). Another illuminory figure, Sir. Siddappa Kambli, then the Minister of Education, Government of Bombay was greatly involved in and responsible for Karnatak College to continue imparting education in North Karnataka region. The college was later bifurcated for administration purposes as the Karnatak Arts College and Karnatak Science College- two only in name but one in spirit. Sir. Siddappa Kambli, was also instrumental in establishing, sister institution Karnatak Science College, Dharwad. Both the colleges share common campus and other campus amenities for administrative purposes. Over the years new courses like B.Com, B.B.A., M.T.A., B.T.A., B.S.W., B.Com (CS), M.A. (English), M.A. (Economics), M.Com. (CS) and M.Com were started thereby justifying what Rabindranath Tagore once said “The great task of education is not merely to collect facts but to known man and to make oneself known to man”. The students of this college are spread across the length and breadth of the country and also abroad. If you just go strolling across the streets of Dharwad, are sure to run into at least one KCDian. At present, there are about 2000-2500 students studying on the campus pursuing various courses. This is a place where dreams are realized, goals are reached, targets met, careers bloom and memories cherished. Blessed indeed are those who study in these environs!
