He was speaking at the book award presentation ceremony of the Academy for the year 2007 at Town Hall here on Thursday.

Mr Alva said compared to the history, range, scholarship and significance of Tulu language with the other languages, the kind of support it gets from the government is unsatisfactory.

“Tuluvas have not got the priority which is being given to the people of other languages. But they should not forget their individuality. They should feel proud of the contributions Tuluvas have rendered to the society,” he stressed.

Stating that regional languages are being shattered in the voyage of globalisation, the writer said more than 25 words in Tulu indicating family relationships have been lost and are replaced by ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’.

Academy book awards were presented to Shashiraj Kavoor and late Bhaskar Bhandary. Mr Samith Bhandary received the award announced for Bhaskar Bhandary.

Books released
Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor released a total of 13 books published by Tulu Sahitya Academy. They are: Paddanolu (Menar), Tulu Yakshagana (K Anantharama Bangady), Karnataka Ekikarana Chaluvali: Tulunadina Koduge (Prof Tukaram Poojary), Eduru Kathekulu (Jayanthi S Bangera), Gadelu (Jyothi S Chelyaru), Kabitelu (Dr Rajashree), Subraya Bhat (Jayanthi), Tulu Paddanolu (Dr Ganesh Amin Sankamar), Tulu Samskrutida Polabu (Dr Palthady Ramakrishna Achar), Tuluta Katha Samskruthi (Dr Vishwanatha Badikana), Janapada Nalikelu (D Yadupathi Gowda) and K B Bhandary (Dr Vaman Nandavara).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Punaroor said Tulu would never survive unless Tuluvas come together and put their honest efforts.

 He regretted that the demand of the Tuluvas of including Tulu in the VIII Schedule of Indian Constitution and introducing it as a language in schools have not been fulfiled so far.

Academy President M K Seetharam Kulal presided. Writer Bola Chittaranjan Das, Academy Registrar S H Shvarudrappa were present on the occasion.