Promote advanced research of Tulu culture

Promote advanced research of Tulu culture

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 29, 2016 :  Purushothama Bilimale, Professor, Kannada Studies Chair, School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, said Feb 27, that it was essential to promote intensive study and research in Tulu culture. He was speaking after receiving the annual Bannanje Babu Amin Folk Award for scholars at a function organised by the Kemmalaje Prakashana. The centenarian folk artiste Guruva also received the same award in the artiste’s category on the occasion.

Prof. Bilimale said that Tulu culture was being promoted and saved more by artistes performing various folk rituals and other related folk aspects such as drum beating, singing of Padadanas. About 80 lakh people speak Tulu around the country.

According to an estimate, nearly 74 languages and dialects in the country are on the verge of disappearance within a span of about 50 years. It was essential to protect these languages and dialects. Though all efforts should be made to include Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, its inclusion in the Schedule alone would not bring many benefits. This was because the Union government had slowly removed the benefits for languages in this Schedule. Hence, an amendment should be brought to the Eighth Schedule which would provide for development of Indian languages.

Prof. Bilimale said that there was a lot of talk of nationalism in the country right now. However, nationalism should be as per the ideals and spirit of the Indian Constitution. Countries based on religion have not survived, he said, adding that Indian culture had always been broad-minded and inclusive.

Dinesh Amin Mattu, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, who gave away the awards, said that the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi were known for their inclusiveness and harmony about two and a half decades ago. But now the scenario had changed. It was necessary to bring back those values of broadmindedness and harmonious co-existence, he said. Scholar Bannanje Babu Amin, President of Kemmalaje Janapada Prakashana Gananath Yekkar, President of Awards Selection Committee Y.N. Shetty, Project Director of Nirmiti Kendra Arun Kumar and others were present at the function.