'Tulu literature should respond to contemporary issues'

Meet to discuss the ways to strengthen Tulu

He was addressing a meeting to discuss the ways to strengthen Tulu, under the aegis of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy here on Saturday.

“Tulu writers should not restrict themselves to subjects like age-old beliefs, customs and traditions while producing literature. We need a literature of this century,” Prof Rai stressed.

He advised Tulu Sahitya Academy to focus more on academic projects instead of organising fairs and utsavas. “There are various organisations to conduct ‘sammans’ and ‘utsavas’. Academy is meant for pure academic activities and it should do them,” he suggested.

‘Come out of illusion’

Prof Rai said one should leave the illusion that the development of Tulu is possible only through Tuluvas.

“If we do not come out of this illusion, we will not improve for another 100 years. One should believe that the development of Tulu is possible through all Kannadigas or all Indians. Non-Tulu speaking people should also be involved in strengthening the language,” he observed.

“Inclusion of Tulu language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution has been a failure since we have failed to get the support from more number of MPs. The pressure from mere five Tulu-knowing MPs is not sufficient. We should be able to convince at least 200 MPs,” he said.

“Our movements are not going beyond the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. This is our drawback. There is a need to include scholars and language experts from the national scenario,” he said and emphasised on the necessity of “scientific language planning” prevailing western countries.

Bilingual usage

Central Institute of Indian Languages research officer Dr R Subbukrishna suggested that Tulu should be used as an alternative language while communicating with government departments. He said one need not be apprehensive of the Unesco report that stated Tulu and Konkani languages are on the verge of extinct since they are being used only in family premises.

Academy Chairman Dr Palthady Ramakrishna Achar presided. Members Padmanabha Kekunnaya, Yadupathi Gowda, Yogish Kanchan and Sarapady Ashok Shetty were present.

International Tulu meet soon

The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in association with Tulu Sahitya Academy will be organising an international conference on “Tulu traditions in grammar, folklore and literature” with the participation of language experts from within the country and abroad. The CIIL research officer Dr R Subbukrishna told a section of media that a proposal has already been sent to the Centre with the estimation of Rs 2 lakh budget.
Academy Chairman Dr Palthady Ramakrishna Achar said the academy has plans to host the conference in Mangalore in September or October.