Mounesh Vishwakarma
Inputs and Pics: Kishore Peraje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Dec 10: The first ever taluk-level Tulu Sahitya Sammelan of Dakshina Kannada district was held here on Sunday December 10.

President of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, A C Bhandary, flagged off the procession while veteran writer, Dr Erya Laxminarayuana Alva, inaugurated the exhibition. Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, inaugurated the Sammelan.
 

Addressing the gathering, president of the event Malar Jayaram Rai said, "Languages that have lesser number of speakers than Tulu, such as Nepali, Sindhi, Konkani and Manipuri are included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. But regrettably, Tulu which is spoken by a population of 5 million is still not included. It is an injustice to the people who respect and speak the language.

"Linguistic right is a fundamental cultural right of the people. It is connected with the economic, cultural and social system as well as people's political rights. UNESCO has given recognition to all languages, whether they have script or not," he said.

Veteran writer Erya Laxmi Narayana Alva, addressing the gathering after inaugurating the exhibition, said, "Tulu is a unique language. But these days, due to the influence of English, people are forgetting Tulu."

District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai said that there is no country that can match India when it comes to unity in diversity. He also called upon people to work for the preservation and promotion of Tulu language and culture.

'Mudipu' quarterly published by Tulu Sahitya Academy, and 15th edition of 'Tuluve' book by B Thimmaiah were released on the occasion.

Bicycle tyre, car Kambula, Pale Bandi, Goligobbu, Jibili, Keredande, Donkata, Kallata, Uppumudi, Lagori, Goni Cheeravu, tug of war, Muttalel Padi, speed competitions for senior citizens, Batti, Kudupu, Muttale, Beedine Soopu, Paje, Manda Bajana, Kail, Tadpe,Kuruve, Maipusoodi, Karbada Kotya, Khandloom, Ganada Ktya, Maratta Kotya, things used by cobblers, toddy tapping, demonstration of jaggery making, books exhibition and other arrangements provided ann opportunity to the visitors to get introduced to the rich culture of Tulunadu.

President of the Sammelan, Malar Jaaram Rai and reception committee president, Sudarshan Jain, rode in an open jeep to the venue of the Sammelan. Academy members, activists and general public walked enthusiastically with procession. The procession was accompanied by various characters depicting Tulu mythology and culture, Tattiraya, Yakshagana puppets, Chende, etc which greatel added to the grandness of the occasion.

Offer of jaggery and water and hospitalities associated with Tulu customs reminded one of rich Tulu customs while the exhibition led the visitors down the memory lane of Tulunadu.