Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
Mangalore, Oct 15: "Tulu could be included in the eighth schedule of the constitution and a proposal in this regard has been made with the concerned authorities", said Corporate affairs minister, Dr M Virappa Moily.
He was speaking after releasing a Tulu book on collection of short stories ‘Sathyappe Baalelu’ authored by Dr K E Radhakrishna here at SDM College on Sunday October 14.
He said that Tulu language has a unique identity and power and added that Karnataka Tulu Sahithya Academy should lay more stress on research work on Tulu language as the level of research carried out currently is not sufficient. He said recommendation for the inclusion of Tulu language in eighth schedule of the constitution was made in the state cabinet, and Tulu with few other languages will be included. He added that scripts are not the criteria for progress.
Senior litterateur and scholar Erya Laxmi Narayana Alva presiding over the programme said that Tulu is a rich language and has great history and one can find Tulu words being used in Greek dramas as this land had good bilateral relations with far away nations. He added that Christian Missionaries played crucial roles in research work conducted on Tulu Paddanas. He said open-minded approach will enrich the language.
Karnataka Tulu Sahithya Academy president Umanath A Kotian, the chief guest said that if one forgets his mother tongue, it is equivalent to overlooking one’s own mother. He said Tulu academy which was started by Dr Virappa Moily 17 years ago when latter was the chief minister of the state and will successfully make possible the inclusion of Tulu in eighth schedule of the constitution. Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr D Virendra Hegde, MPs among other could discuss the matter and realize the vision, he said.
Senior Tulu writer Dr D K Chowta said that the grandeur of Tulu language can be retained when more work is carried out. He called upon writers of the region to write in their own Tulu language.
The book ‘Sathyappe Baalelu’ consists of six stories which include two long stories titled ‘Shraddho’ and ‘Urimarle Panjurli Dever’, three short stories titled ‘Ajji Peddayina’, ‘Kojappu’, and ‘Onji Kathe’.
The stories depict the communal harmony, poverty prevailing in the DK district few decades ago.
President U B Venkatesh, Vishal Foundation and Lokashikshana Trust Bangalore, DK district Kannada Sahithya Parishad president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, writer and critic Muralidhara Upadyaya also spoke on the occasion.
Dr Devaraj K, principal of SDM College, Mangalore was present.