JOIN USThe language of Tulu, spoken by the people of coastal Karnataka, is a heavenly treasure. It is saddening that the language with such a rich legacy, is not included in the eighth schedule of the Indian constitution, said Litterateur and Journalist Malar Jayaram Rai.
He was speaking as the President of the first taluk level Tulu Literary convention organised by Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, at Siridompa Tuluva Chavadi BC Road in Bantwal on Sunday.
Malar called upon the elected representatives of the region to work irrespective of party barriers towards bringing the official language status to Tulu. Languages like Sindhi, Nepali, Konkani, Manipuri and Sanskrit, which are spoken by comparatively small population have obtained constitutional status, he pointed out.
Tulu words mentioned in the oldest stone slab inscriptions such as Barkuru inscription and Halmidi inscription signify the antiquity of Tulu language. Tulu speaking people live in various parts of the globe. Several foreign universities have provided official language status to Tulu. Studies on Tulu language are being carried out in Kuppam and Mangalore Universities. However, there is a large scope for research in Tulu, he said.
"Scholars opine that Malayalam script was carved out of Tulu. The mythological works of the 17th century - Tulu Devi Mahatme, Tulu Bhagavatho and others are written in Tulu script. Manuscripts in Tulu can be seen in the archives of Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.
The district in-charge minister inaugurated the Tulu convention. Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Chairman A C Bhandary inaugurated the cultural procession and hoisted the Tulu flag. Litterateur Erya Lakshminarayana Alva inaugurated the book exhibition.
Tri-monthly 'Madipu' and 'Tuluve' book were released on the occasion.
Cashew Development Corporation Chairman B H Khader, Bantwal Taluk Panchayat President Chandrahas Karkera, Town Municipal Corporation President P Ramakrishna Alva and Taluk level Tulu Literary Convention Committee Chairman Sudarshan Jain were present.
Convention Chair Malar Jayaram Rai was lead through a cultural procession of a music band, umbrellas and folk troupes from BC Road to the programme venue.