He was speaking after inaugurating the regional conference of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana on the theme “Tulunadina kulakasubu, gadegalu, edurukathegalu: Ninne-indu-nale” (Family occupations of Tulunadu, proverbs, riddles: Past-present-future), at Rani Abbakka Tulu Study Centre at B C Road on Saturday.

“Each article was hand made in the olden days. The sorrows and happiness of the maker used to be reflected in the commodity.” “The form of the articles was different though the material was same. However, the family occupations are being spoiled nowadays,” he said.

“We are living a comfortable life due to the 500 years’ research of our ancestors. Tyres of both the bullock cart and the car are round in shape, but the cart had a speed of 5 km/hour whereas the car goes at a speed of 100 km/hour.  The original form did not change. However, people are conquering greater heights by changing the original forms,” Heggade said.

Tulu should become the language of the heart. Tulu language and culture should have intense influence on the future generation, he added. Shimoga Kuvempu University Vice Chancellor Dr B S Sherigar said the culture is ruining because of globalisation. “This is a common process. One cannot stop it. It can only be postponed. The conferences like this will help preserving culture, customs and more,” he observed.

In his presidential address, MLA B Ramanath Rai said: “Influence of one language on the other is natural. The influence of Kannada on Tulu is not objectionable. But a language should keep its originality.”

Lecturer Ganesh Amin Sankamar presented a paper on “Agri-based occupations of Tulunadu” while lecturer Sai Geeta spoke on “Non-agricultural family occupations of Tulunadu”. Mangalore University Prasaranga Director Dr Abhayakumar was the coordinator.

In the second session, Dr B Shivaram Shetty and Prof Krishnamurthy spoke on provers and riddles of Tulunadu respectively. Tulu Sahitya Academy President Dr Palthady Ramakrishna Achar chaired.