Mangaluru: Efforts are being put to add Tulu to the eighth schedule of the Constitution. However, we should not be limited to that and the objective should be the preservation of our language and culture, opined Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade.
Dr D Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the hundredth episode of the Tulu webinar series being organised by Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwar Tulu Peetha of Mangaluru University and the Department of PG Studies in Tulu of University Evening College on Sunday. “Shri Dharmasthala Samskruthi Samshodhana Pratishthana is working for Tulu. More studies should be conducted on folk medicines and crops of Tulunad through the Peetha,” he added.
In his special lecture, Tulu-Kannada scholar Dr B A Viveka Rai said that linguist Robert Caldwell (1856) discovered that Tulu was an independent and prolific language. The Basel Mission brought out the first Tulu dictionary in 1886. Russian researchers M S Andronov and Tamil linguist PS Subrahmanyam characterized Tulu as distinct from other Dravidian languages. In the development of Tulu, the contribution of foreign researchers and the local language lovers was immense, he said.
Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President Dayananda G. Kattalsar said, “Around 14 books will be published soon. By coming February, ‘Tulu Bhavan’ worth Rs. 9 crores will be dedicated to the public. About 350 teachers are ready to teach Tulu. Tulu script has got national recognition,” he said. Mangalore University Registrar Dr Kishore Kumar CK said that it is a matter of pride for the varsity that the webinar series has reached 100 episodes.
In his presidential speech, Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof. P Subrahmanya Yadapadithaya said that digitization of Tulu literature will be started from next month itself. Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Tulu Peetha Convenor Dr Madhava M K, in his introductory speech, informed that 4 books will be published on the talks of resource persons in this webinar series.
Vijayalakshmi Kateelu mastered the program. Suresh Rao Attur sang a melodious prayer. University Evening College Principal Dr Subhashini Srivatsa extended a vote of thanks.
The struggle of Peetha, Joy of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana!
Scholar Dr B. A. Viveka Rai, explained the struggles of launching Tulu Peetha about 30 years ago at Mangalore University. He recalled Dr D Virendra Heggade’s timely help. He fondly recalled the occasion of the World Tulu Conference held from December 9-13, 2009 at Dharamsthala. “There should be documentation of the ongoing work for the Tulu language and culture from the newcomers abroad. With the digitization of Tulu books, literature can reach more people,” he opined.
