Michigan USA: The All America Tulu Association (AATA), proudly inaugurated the “Bale Tulu Patherga” class of 2024. This second batch of the Bale Tulu Patherga classes was kicked off virtually after the grand success of the first batch that was completed in 2023.

The event garnered an astonishing response from participants all over the world, marking a significant step towards preserving and promoting the revered Tulu language.

The inauguration ceremony had three key distinguished guests who resonated with the importance of preserving and learning the Tulu language. The Esteemed speakers offered their valuable insights, further highlighting the cultural significance of this ancient language and how important it is for us to preserve it.

Dr Poornima Shetty, Asst. Professor, Mumbai University, Bharath, shared insightful information about Tulu’s history and also the importance of preserving this ancient revered language. She emphasized on the role parents need to play in order to ensure that their kids are able to learn and communicate in Tulu. She also proudly applauded AATA’s commitment to promoting and helping preserve the language.

Vishwesh Bhat, an esteemed music scholar from Bengaluru, spoke a few words at the inauguration ceremony and also emphasized not only on the importance of speaking the mother tongue but also on the importance of the future generations learning to communicate in Tulu. He praised AATA for its unwavering dedication to promoting the language and also thanked all the volunteers for their time and effort spent in helping spread awareness of this beautiful language.

Ritesh Shetty, an ambassador of AATA representing the Minnesota region of USA shared his insightful perspectives and thoughts on the Tulu language by narrating some of his memories from his time spent in Mangalore, Karnataka. He also highlighted the fact that parents play a very pivotal role in preserving the essence of the Tulu culture and language at home and also in imbibing the same values into their kids.

Dr Poornima Shetty released the song “Va Porluya” written by AATA director from Michigan Prashanth Kumar Mattu. Sri Vishwesh Bhat has composed the music and also rendered the song with his melodious voice. The editing was done by Bhaskar Sherigar. Author Prashanth Kumar highlighted the culture embedded in the song.

Shreevalli Rai, the esteemed president of AATA, proudly spoke about the successful completion of our first batch and the enormous interest that it had garnered among the Tulu community that lead us to start this second batch.

Expressing her joy at seeing so many participants having registered from all over the world, Rai shared her thoughts on how AATA plans on making this a second successful accomplishment. Her dedication, support and commitment to help spread awareness of this beautiful language to the future generations is truly commendable.

Bhaskara Sherigar, the visionary founder president of AATA, provided an insightful overview of the Bale Tulu Patherga curriculum and schedule, reaffirming the fact that every individual that has enrolled for the classes would be comfortable communicating in the Tulu language by the end of the sessions.

Dhyana Chettiar beautifully conducted the program in tulu as the Master of Ceremonies, AATA ambassador from Michigan Prajwal Shetty extended a warm welcome to the guests, Reshma Chettiar from Canada beautifully renditioned an invocation song.

AATA director from Virginia Dr Rathnakar Sherigar warmly welcomed all the chief guests with their respective introductions, joint secretary Ranjani Asaigoli from Raleigh North Carolina expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and organizers in her vote of thanks and AATA director from Boston Prasanna Laxman served as the program moderator.

The eagerly awaited second batch of Tulu speaking classes was started with this eventful inauguration ceremony, promising an enriching journey into the world of the Tulu language and its hidden beauty.

Preserving regional languages is crucial for upholding our cultural heritage, and initiatives like the Bale Tulu Patherga classes offered by AATA stands as a symbol of hope in keeping this beautiful language alive for generations to come.

Report by:- Prajwal Shetty, AATA director, Michigan USA

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