Need to develop Tulu as an academic language stressed

Kannada University (Hampi), former Vice Chancellor Prof B A Viveka Rai stressed the need to develop academic discipline in Tulu language.

Inaugurating the two-year post graduation Tulu language course at University Evening College in Hapankatta in Mangaluru, on Monday, he said that anthropological studies on Tulu language, culture and folklore were needed.

“Tulu, as a regional language, has bridged communities. It is a language of inter-communication,” he noted.

Rai recalled that University of Mysore had introduced Tulu as part of research studies in the 1970s. Noted Kannada writer and critic Ha Ma Nayak had played a vital role in the move. Eventually, Tulu studies became popular with more students opting for Tulu culture research.

Tulu post graduate department coordinator B Shivaram Shetty said that Mangalore University had successfully started a post graduation course in Tulu.

"Tulu has the eligibility to be developed into a knowledge-based language. The effort is significant in times when regional languages like Tulu are facing challenges due to globalisation," he opined.

Mangalore University Vice Chancellor (in-charge) Kishore Kumar C K, Deputy Registrar Prabhakar Neermarga, University College Principal Uday Kumar Irvattur, Evening College Principal Ramakrishna B M and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy Chairman A C Bhandary were present.

Two-year PG course

The post graduation in Tulu at the evening college, Hampankatta, Mangaluru, is a two-year course focusing on developing a research methodology in Tulu studies. It aims to provide a disciplinary framework to the language.

All 20 seats in the department are taken. All kinds of researchers ranging from graduates to retired people, have opted for the course. Classes commenced on August 7, 2018.

The curriculum includes Tulu literature, language, folklore, research and theory. The faculty comprises three lecturers and the coordinator.

DH News Service