Day three of Vishwa Tulu Sammelan features huge crowds, thought-provoking sessions

Day three of Vishwa Tulu Sammelan features huge crowds, thought-provoking sessions

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Dec 13: More than 2 lakh people attended the Vishwa Tulu Sammelan on day three, Dec 12 Saturday, owing to which the roads leading to Ujire witnessed heavy traffic jams throughout the day. The vehicles were forced to move at a snail’s pace because of which the visitors took more than double the time usually taken to reach the venue. The crowd included both Tulu as well as non-Tulu people from all over Karnataka. Thought-provoking sessions were held on this day, helping the Tulu-speaking population realize the various causes for the downfall of their cultural tradition.

 

 

The first sessions of the day were on education, theatre, and media. The resource persons were Dr K Abhaya Kumar, the professor of the Kannada Department in Mangalore University; Eshwara Daithota, the editor of the Times of India; and I K Boluwar, the theatre director.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Abhaya Kumar said that the current education system, which focuses on producing employees and creating global citizens, is the primary factor responsible for the downfall of local culture, languages, and traditional values. The education system, which denies the Tulu speakers education in their mother tongue, forces them to neglect Tulu and adopt languages such as Kannada, Hindi, and English.

Eshwara Daithota said that the journalists of Tulunadu, who have become famous at the international level, must fight for the cause of their language. These journalists, being sincere and hard working, are simply reflecting the culture of Tulu incorporated into them at an early age.

 

I K Bolar said that the theatre of the region has witnesses several changes over time. Fans of Tulu theatre have always demanded variety. Earlier, dramas on traditional themes staged on festive occasions attracted large crowds of people. But now, comedies are in great demand. Since the Tulu theatre has never lacked patrons, it has flourished and produced great artistes, who have achieved national fame by acting in movies and soaps.

The Registrar of Mangalore University Dr. K Chinnappa Gowda spoke on the dilution of Tulu culture. He said that the Tulu-speaking population no longer worships its deities in the same manner. A number of traditional rituals have been abandoned and forgotten. Owing to a busy lifestyle, people have shortened the rituals, a fact that has caused the downfall of culture.

Narendra Rai Derla spoke about the farming methods used by the Tulu-speaking people. He said that modern living conditions have forced people to abandon paddy farming in favor of arecnut farming. Since the various phases of paddy farming were interwoven into the life and culture of the people, the abandonment of paddy farming has led to a severe loss of traditional culture.

 

The President of Rani Abbakka Study Centre Prof Tukaram Poojary said that most of the villagers have given up farming and taken up a variety of other occupations. The rural products manufactured by village artisans are no longer in demand. The artisans have therefore given up their jobs, forgotten their art, and taken up myriad other professions. In spite of this, a number of artisans are still faithful to their profession, he observed.

 

 

Visit Official Website: http://www.vishwatulusammelana.com