Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda inaugurated the University of Folklore Art, which would offer more than 50 certificate courses in various forms of folklore.
During the current academic year, six study centres and three certificate courses would be started, Gowda said.
Veteran folklore artiste Ambalike Hiriyanna, who has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the university, claimed that this institute is the first such in the world.
Hiriyanna said the state has an estimated 187 folklore arts.
Earlier on arrival, Gowda said he had written another letter to the Centre seeking at least Rs 1,000 crore immediate assistance to tackle the drought situation.
Ministers Basavaraj Bommai, Govind Karjol, C M Udasi and Jagadish Shettar were present.
