More literature must come out in Beary language, so that it is granted an Academy. Beary literature must reflect as to how Beary community has remained backward and also about the plight of women in the community, said litterateur Sara Aboobakker.

Speaking at a discussion on Beary literature as part of ‘Beary Samshodhane 2008’, she said she writes neither for entertainment nor to earn money, but to put the facts relating to the problems faced by women before the public. Women in beary community, even in Mangalore do not come out in the open or involve in literary activities, she pointed out. Earlier, people used to hesitate even to speak in Beary outside their homes.

Now, though the language is spoken by a large community, the ‘Mapilla pattu’ in Beary is no more sung during wedding ceremonies or other functions, she lamented.

Most of the words in Beary language is found in Coorgi and Tamil, which can be a topic of research, she added.
B M Mohammed Haneef of Beary Sahitya Parishat, Mangalore unit said Beary language is spoken in many places including Mysore, Chikmagalur, Udupi, Kodagu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The language must develop and should no become stagnant water. When language improves, literature improves and finally the culture improves, he explained.

Replying to a query during the discussion, litterateur B A Shamsuddeen Madikeri said if any piece of writing reaches the people, it can be called literature, irrespective of its form. Hence even articles that appear in journals can be included in the category of literature, he opined.