No takers for Tulu Academy in Kerala

The Kerala Tulu Academy which was once the proud academy of Tuluvas in Kasargod has now become an orphan.

The Academy which was carefully maintained by the Left party leader, has literally stopped functioning from one year, the day United Front came to power.

Kerala Tulu Academy was the brain child of the Manjeshwara former MLA C H Kunhambu and it was established with an objective to revive the dying Tulu folk and cultural heritage in the region.

The Academy gained much name and fame after it organised a huge Tulu convention in Perla.


Programmes like ‘Tulu Janapada Yatre’ in Kaliyuru on December 19 and 20, 2009 and ‘Desoda Tulu Jatre’ in Paivalike from January 14 to 16, 2011 united the Tuluvas in the region and lifted the spirit of Tulu life and culture.

In fact, the then Chief Minister V S Achyutanandan himself participated in the programme and ensured his commitment to preserve Tulu language.

However, with P B Abdul Razak getting elected as Manjeshwara MLA, the Kerala Tulu Academy started counting its last days. The Academy has completely stopped organising any activities from last one year. Tired of the developments, Academy President Dr Venkatraj Punichitthaya has tendered resignation to his post. Former MLA C H Kunhambu who was one of the Academy members too has tendered resignation to his post.

The lethargic attitude of the MLA is so much so that he has not contacted either the Academy President or its members from the day he came to power. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Dr Punichitthaya said that he resigned from the post citing health reasons.
Tulu Academy President Balakrishna Shettigar informed that at present the Academy has 10 members and the meetings are held once in three months.

Land lying vacant
The one acre land which was granted to the Academy in Anagadipadv near Hosangadi is lying vacant. A sum of Rs 10 lakh grant sanctioned by the government for the functioning of the Academy during the year 2011-12 too has not yet reached the Academy.

No progress has been taken place with regard to the construction of Academy building. An estimation of Rs 50 lakh for the building construction was made and proposals were sent to both the Kerala and Karnataka governments seeking financial assistance. However, nothing has happened so far.

Putting forth the grievance, one of the Academy members who did not wish to be named said that  the new committee has not been formed since United Front came to power. “It seems like the MLA has totally forgotten the presence of the Academy,” he said.