Overview
The Board of Studies (BoS) for Tamil and Malayalam at Bangalore University is the principal academic body responsible for the design, implementation, and periodic revision of undergraduate programmes in these two SouthIndian languages. Established under the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, the Board ensures that the curricula remain relevant, scholarly rigorous, and aligned with contemporary linguistic, cultural, and technological trends.
Both Tamil and Malayalam departments serve a diverse student population drawn from Karnataka and neighbouring states. The BoS fosters an environment where linguistic scholarship, literary criticism, translation studies, and cultural heritage intersect, thereby preparing graduates for careers in education, media, research, and public service.
Structure & Members
The Board comprises senior academicians, external experts, and administrative representatives. The typical composition includes:
- Chairperson: Professor (Retd.) C. R. Srinivasan Distinguished Scholar in Tamil Literature.
- ViceChairpersons: One from Tamil, one from Malayalam, both holding at least a Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree.
- Member Faculty: Heads of the Tamil and Malayalam Departments, two senior lecturers from each department, and a junior faculty member representing the postgraduate cohort.
- External Experts: Two eminent scholars from other Indian universities, appointed for a threeyear term.
- Administrative Liaison: Dean of Arts and a representative of the Registrars Office.
Meetings are convened at least twice a year, with additional sessions scheduled when curriculum revisions or accreditation processes demand urgent attention.
Curriculum Development
The BoS follows a systematic approach to curriculum design, encompassing:
- Needs Assessment: Surveys of industry trends, feedback from alumni, and consultations with linguistic research bodies.
- Learning Outcomes: Defining clear competencieslanguage proficiency, literary analysis, translation skills, and digital literacy.
- Course Mapping: Structuring the threeyear UG programme into core, elective, and skillbased modules.
- Resource Alignment: Ensuring that required textbooks, eresources, and laboratory facilities are available.
- Quality Assurance: Periodic internal audits and UGCmandated accreditation reviews.
Typical Semester Structure (Tamil)
- Language Fundamentals Tamil I & II
- Classical Tamil Sangam Literature
- Modern Tamil Prose & Poetry
- Translation Techniques (TamilEnglish)
- Elective: Media Studies, Drama, or Folklore
- Skill Lab: Digital Textual Editing
Typical Semester Structure (Malayalam)
- Malayalam Grammar & Phonetics
- Early Malayalam Literature
- Contemporary Malayalam Narrative
- Translation Studies (MalayalamEnglish)
- Elective: Film Studies, Folk Arts, or Comparative Literature
- Skill Lab: AudioVisual Documentation
Both streams emphasize interdisciplinary projects, encouraging students to undertake research on language policy, diaspora studies, and the digital preservation of manuscripts.
Research & Projects
The Board actively promotes undergraduate research through:
- Summer Research Fellowships: Financial support for fieldwork on oral traditions, folk performances, and community language practices.
- Collaborative Grants: Partnerships with the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) and the Sahitya Akademi for joint publications.
- Digital Archives: Creation of online repositories of classical manuscripts, theatre recordings, and folklore audio clips.
- Conference Participation: Funding for students to present papers at state and national conferences.
Recent notable projects include:
- Digitisation of 18thcentury Tamil palmleaf manuscripts (2024).
- Compilation of a bilingual MalayalamEnglish folk song anthology (2023).
- Study on language shift among Tamil speaking migrants in Bengaluru (2022).
Student Support & Extracurricular Activities
The Board recognises that language learning thrives beyond the classroom. To this end, it supports:
- Language Clubs: Tamil Literary Society and Malayalam Cultural Circle conduct weekly discussions, poetry recitals, and drama workshops.
- Internships: Tieups with publishing houses, regional news channels, and translation agencies.
- Mentorship Programme: Senior students guide freshmen in academic planning and research methodology.
- Scholarships: Meritbased awards for top performers and needbased assistance for economically disadvantaged students.
Annual events such as the Bengaluru Tamil & Malayalam Fest showcase student talent in creative writing, theatre, and short film production, fostering a vibrant campus culture.
Contact Details
Board of Studies Tamil & Malayalam (UG)
Department of Tamil & Malayalam
Bangalore University, Bengaluru 560056, Karnataka, India
Phone: +918022950230
Email: bos.tamilmalayalam@bangaloreuniversity.ac.in
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00am 4:00pm
