Mulki: “Tulu speaking people have succeeded in retaining the culture over the years through Kambala (buffalo race in wet dirty paddy fields), agriculture and worship of deities (Bhootharadhane). What is more promising is the love of language and native land among those settled in business capital Mumbai in ensuring the growth of the tradition and culture. Places of worship and temples invisible 25 years ago have showed up in the recent past. These facts reveal that the language has grown exponentially in the last 30 decades there by strengthening culture,” opined, Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade addressing a two-day Mulki-Bappanadu Tulu conference.
He was speaking after inaugurating the two day conference by lighting the lamp on the occasion in the presence of Tulu-Kannada exponent and litterateur Dr Sunita Shetty who took part in the Mumbai celebrations in the auspices of Durga Parameshwari by releasing the fourth edition of news souvenir ‘Times of Kudla’.
When Tulu language was losing ground, the 2009 Tulu conference held at Ujire gave the much needed fillip to the language uniting people irrespective of caste and creed. It also gave new direction and developed a special liking for the language, he said.
Dr Heggade further said that after August 17, under the banner of Tulu literature academy, a delegation will meet the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to urge him to include Tulu language in the eighth Schedule of the constitution.
He felt that the two day conference has created a special awakening among Tulu people which has the strength to increase the number of Tulu speaking people from thousand s to lakhs. He applauded the effort behind organizing the two day conference. Dr Heggade expressed satisfaction over the entire celebrations which had a traditional touch on the occasion.
The procession was inaugurated at the Mulki conference office by Sri Sadguru Shashikanthmani Swamiji of Balekodi Shilanjana Kshetra. The president of the two conferences was brought to the dais from the office in a procession.
Speaking on the occasion, the Tulu Sahitya Academy president, Janki Brahmavar said, Tulu unions formed in schools are functioning well by organizing programs and the ones started today are different. She felt there should be clarity among the people regarding different Tulu unions and they should not be misled on this count.
Affection towards tulu language must increase: Dr Sunitha M Shetty
There is a lot of love for the language among Tulu speaking community in Mumbai and that should increase here at its roots said Dr Sunitha Shetty. She recalled the instances like when Tulu Sammelan president Squadron leader Shivaprasad Rai had mentioned that English was born out of Tulu in one of his essays. She recalled the poem written by Karnad Sadashivarao ‘aatiya hoove, sonada hoove’ and how he had carried it to Italy to spread the richness of the language. She gave an example when Christian missionaries used to in sing in tulu ‘bolpu thojala o yesu deva’ during adorations. Lessons were taught in Tulu language in schools and the land has given many great achievers. She felt the conference is not a literary conference, but a platform to retain and work for the growth of the language. Through these instances, one can understand how Tulu language aided in coexistence of communities’ centuries ago, said Dr.Sunitha Shetty.
All India Billava union president Naveen Chandra D Suvarna; Kateel temple chief administrator Dr K Ravindra Punja; Mulky church parish priest Fr Francis Xavier Gomes; former president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Harikrishna Punaroor; Mulky Masjid President Iqbal Ahmed; Tulu Sahitya Academy former president Umanath Kotian, Industrailist Prasad Raj Kanchan,Mulki Chennppa and Dr Asha Jyothi Rai were among the guests present.
Stalls were declared open by Jaya Shetty where as Tulu literary unions were declared open by SCDCC president D Rajendra Kumar.UAE Tuluver chief organizer Sarvotham Shetty inaugurated the cultural programs while All India Tulu union president Dharmapal U Devadiga opened the photo exhibition. International Bunt Union vice president Aikala Harish Shetty inaugurated the website on the occasion.
During the inauguration Mumbai Tulu conference honorary president Prabhakar L.Shetty (President, Bunts union Mumbai), general secretary GT Acharya, Mulki Palace’s Dugganna Sawanth, Bappandu temple chief administrator NS Maonohar Shetty and Temple executive officer B.Jayamma were present on the dais.
Conference convener SR Bandimar welcomed the gathering. President YN Shetty delivered introductory address. The program was compered by Naveen Shetty Yedmemar and S.Rajeshwari. Working president Chadrashekar Suvarna delivered the vote of thanks.
