Prasaranga
Publication wing of the University
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Department of Publications has established direct contact with Karnataka citizens through its publications, essentially collating the research outputs.
Research and Reference
Books
The research outcome of the University is published by Prasaranga to make the knowledge available to other researchers in the field as well as to general readers. Not only does it publish books and look after its sale, it also arranges lectures on various topics to take the knowledge thus generated to the public. The lectures delivered thus in Pracharopanyasa male (Series of Lectures for public) are published and priced low under Mantapa male series. The Prasaranga of Kannada University has been one of the top publishing-houses in Karnataka. It has published reference books like Encyclopedia (See Appendix no. for the list of Encyclopedias published and under preparation) on various subjects. The series on History of Karnataka, has brought the scattered knowledge of Karnataka history under one series. The fact that the volumes of this series have all been sold in a very short span of time shows the popularity of such a publication and also the need for such publications. Epics published in both Tribal and Folk series are documentation of Oral epics and they have been appreciated by international scholars as they have made available the knowledge and literature hitherto hidden in the oral form. One of the Epics has been translated into English and is also published by Kendra Sahitya Academy and has been spoken of highly in the academic world, virtually changing the outlook we have of the world today. Epigraphs of various districts and Kannada epigraphs available in other states have also been published under a series called Kannada Vishwavidyalaya Epigraphic series. This is a monumental series second only to the attempt undertaken by B.L. Rice in late 19th century called "Epigraphia Karnataka". But in terms of vastness this is comparable to none.
Journals
The The Kannada University also publishes various Journals: Quarterly Published Journals : 1.Kannada Adhyayana (Kannada Studies), Half Yearly Published Journals : 1. Mahila adhyayana (Women Studies), 2. Dravida Adhyayana (Dravidian Studies) 3. Janapada Karnataka (Folklore of Karnataka) 4. Abhivruddi Adhyayana (Development of Karnataka) 5. Shasana Adyayana (Epigraphy Studies) 6. Budakattu Adyayana (Tribal Karnataka) 7. Hastaprathi Adyayana (Manuscript Studies) Half Yearly Published English Journals: 1. Journal of Karnataka Studies Studies", the first issue is under preparation.
Along
with these scholarly journals Prasaranga publishes periodicals of the University
like Vijnana Sangati (A Companion to Science), Pustaka Mahiti
(Book-information), Cheluva Kannada (University news-letter).
Text
books
Apart from publication of scholarly works the Prasaranga has
taken up publication of textbooks which would be useful for students of science
and social science in colleges. The First and Second Pre-University Social
science and Science textbooks brought out by the Prasaranga have helped students
who would like to study these subjects in Kannada. The letters of gratitude
written by many students speak volumes about these publications. We always
stress the fact that learning best happens in the language of the student, but
there have been no attempts to provide text-books in the language of students
and this long standing wish has been fulfilled by the University.
Series
for the Neo Literate
Five years back the Prasaranga earned Rs. One crore through a
project. The University published more than 100 books for the newly literate in
Kannada and these books were bought by the State Government under its Adult
Education scheme to supply to the students. The books were written by the
faculty members, students and non-teaching staff of the University and published
by Prasaranga. The Prasaranga itself took up the task of distributing also; so
the University earned Rs. One crore in just one project with the help of the
human resources then available in the University.
Publications of Prasaranga (the publication unit) of the University
Apart from publishing, Prasaranga organizes extension
lectures called Pracharopanyasa Maale in various places all over Karnataka.
These speeches are later published under Mantapa Maale series. Till now it has
published more than 100 such books. These books are priced very low.
Marketing
Prasaranga
has two sales counters, one in the University and another in Bangalore. Apart
from supplying books to various Book sellers/shops on order, it has devised new
ways of reaching the readers. Prasaranga organizes Pustaka Yaatre (Book-tour) to
reach the readers. Books are carried in a van to various places to reach
prospective buyers. Prasaranga also puts up stalls in Book-fairs,
Book-exhibitions, or seminars / conferences conducted outside the University in
various places. Compared to other stalls, the Prasaranga stall recorded the
highest sale in the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana this year at Tumkur compared to
other stalls. Institutions such as
Schools and Colleges can buy books on loan for their library, which they can
repay later. Reader Membership Scheme is also available wherein a reader can
deposit a certain amount with Prasaranga and can purchase books matching that
amount, for which they would get free subscription to the journals/periodicals
published by the Prasaranga. Now the Prasaranga is planning to go online with
the booking of orders and it may be realized with the renovation of the
University website.
Seminars in other
Places
Often the seminars, conferences organized by various departments are organized in collaboration with other institutions and in places other than Hospet. This also helps the institution in disseminating knowledge. Most of the times Prasaranga puts up a book-exhibition at this venue to showcase its publications and also to make available the books to target readers.