Mangalore University Vice Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy
He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Drishti-Srishti’- the national-level art camp on the life of Rani Abbakka organised by Rani Abbakka Tulu Study Centre at Sanchayagiri on Saturday.
Appreciating the work of the Centre, the VC said that educative and informative programmes could be organised by Rani Abbakka Tulu Study Centre in collaboration with the Tulu Study Chair at the University.
“The Tulu Study Chair receives annual grant from the government for organising various programmes including seminars, conferences, talks etc. If the Abbakka Study Centre comes forward to organise programmes in association with the Tulu Study Chair, then the University could bear the expenses,” he informed.
He said that the concept of bringing the life of Abbakka on canvas in itself was a great initiative. The artists, who have never seen the real Abbakka will have to face the challenge of picturising her on canvas. The artists’ perception and imagination power are tested here, he said adding that the programmes of this sort should be organised more and more so as to promote and preserve the rich culture and heritage of the region.
Kannada film director and Karnataka Film Academy President T S Nagabharana who was the chief guest on the occasion, stressed on the significance of understanding history.
“We all live with dreams for tomorrow. But, how can one live the tomorrows by forgetting the yesterdays. The life of one community becomes more significant after the community disappears. It is where the history holds value,” he said.
In his introductory remarks, Prof Thukaram Poojary, who was instrumental in starting the
Centre, thanked all those who were the source of inspiration behind his work.
“Rani Abbakka becomes significant for she was the only woman who revolted against the Portuguese despite the opposition from her husband and the neighbouring rulers.
The courage and determination that Abbakka possessed, should be role model to the present generation,” he said.
Prof Poojary informed about his plans to build an open air theatre and a Tulu village at a cost of Rs 50 crore.
27 artists to paint
As many as 27 artists from across the nation including V T Kale from Bellary, Vasudeo Kamath from Mumbai, K N Ramachandran from Bangalore and others will paint the life and times of Rani Abbakka for the next five days.
The paintings will be exhibited at the Gallery in the Centre on December 28.
