JOIN USVoices demanding constitutional status to Tulu language and the protection of the natural resources of Tulunadu were raised at ‘Tulunadda Jathre’ held in observance with the silver jubilee of Sri Gurudevadatta Samsthanam, Odiyur, at Nehru Maidan in Mangalore on Sunday.
Pejavar mutt seer Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji said that Tulu language is the strength of Tuluvas. Tulu is like our mother who gave birth to us and Kannada is the mother is who nurtured us, Pejavar seer said and urged that the Government should give equal status to Tulu as other languages.
Odiyuru Sri Gurudeva Datta Samsthanam seer Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji said the Tuluvas will not stand the projects like Yetthinahole project which is detrimental to their land. Urging the government to take back the project, he said if implemented, the project will dry up Tulunadu. He called upon the people of Tulunadu to fight for the protection of their natural resources.
‘Rechristen airport, train’
He meanwhile urged the government to include Tulu in the eighth schedule of Indian constitution, rechristen Mangalore International Airport as Tulunadu airport and Mathsyagandha Express as Tulunadu Express.
Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, who presided over the function, said that the Tulunadu is the abode of spiritual powers and various rituals like Demi-God performances are synonymous with the steadfast devotion of people here.
These rituals are not superstitious beliefs as these practices are akin to the culture of Tulunadu, he further said.
‘Scrap-off ill projects’
Dr Heggade stressed upon the need for scrapping off the projects which adversely affect the region. Stating that the delay in the establishment of Tulu Bhavana is regrettable, he announced that a delegation comprising himself, Gurudevananda Swamiji and others would visit Delhi to keep forward the demands of people of Tulunadu before the Union government.
Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai, Minister for Youth Services, Sports and Fisheries K Abhayachandra Jain, SCDCC Bank Chairman Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, litterateur Janaki Brahmavar, Mangalore University Professor Dr K Chinnappa Gowda, MLAs J R Lobo, Shakunthala T Shetty, Manila Shridhama seer Sri Mohanadasa Swamiji, Kolya seer Shri Ramananda Swamiji among others were present.
A memorandum, which would be submitted to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, was read out, demanding fulfillment of several demands such as pressing upon the Union government to include Tulu in the eighth schedule of the constitution, announcing Tulu as the official language in the state, to reconstitute Tulu Linguistic Academy, implementing Tulu as a learning subject in schools, giving more support to Tulu publications, researches, upgrading the Tulu study centre in Mangalore University and providing financial assistance to folk artistes, towards rejuvenation of the arts of Tulunadu etc.
An exhibition featuring the traditional occupations of Tulunadu and daily use equipment in ancient Tulunadu was organised on the occasion.
The three chariots, which arrived from three directions, decked up with ‘Thuppe,’ ‘Naganakatte’ and ‘Ani’, mirroring the culture of Tulunadu, were welcomed at Jyothi Circle on Sunday afternoon and were drawn to the programme venue, accompanied by a colourful procession with various art troupes.
Kalladka Shri Rama Educational Institutions Convener Dr Prabhakar Bhat Kalladka inaugurated the procession at Jyothi Circle.