Report: Shreevalli Rai Martell
Boston, Aug 10: The All America Tulu Association (AATA) submitted a memorandum urging the government of Karnataka to recognise Tulu as the second official language through the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly U T Khader and chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti.
AATA also urged to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Tulunadu. The memorandum was submitted during a grand dinner event in Boston, USA, on August 5 at the residence of AATA founder president Bhaskar Sherigar and Shailashree Sherigar, to celebrate the resounding success of Siri Parba 2025, a landmark cultural event held earlier this summer that showcased the vibrant traditions and linguistic richness of Tulunadu.
The dinner event showcased the Tulunadu delicacies at their best form prepared by the volunteers of New England TuluKoota (NETK).
The evening coincided with the visit of a distinguished delegation of 23 MLAs and MLCs from Karnataka, along with two MLAs from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, who were in Boston attending a National Conference of State Legislators from August 4 to 6.
The event was attended by prominent Tulunadu leaders, Puttur MLA Ashok Rai, Kaup MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme, Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole, MLCs Ivan D’Souza, Bharathi Shetty and Manjunath Bhandary.
The event was also attended by several distinguished legislators, deputy chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council M K Pranesh, MLAs and MLCs, Ashok M. Pattan, Badarli Hampanagouda, T A Sharavana, leader of Janata Dal (S), C B Suresh Babu, Arvind Bellad, Yashvantarayagouda Patil, Balkhees Banu, Hemalatha Nayak, Veerendra Puppy, Bhoj Raj, Mane Srinivas, N Ravikumar, Dinesh Gooligowda and Suja Kushalappa, along with Yogindra Bhat of SKV Temple in New Jersey.
The AATA team led by president Shreevalli Rai Martell, founder president Bhaskar Sherigar, general secretary Puja Shetty, joint secretary Ranjani Asaigoli, director Fredrick Fernandis and AATA ambassador and NETK president Mohair Shetty, NETK secretary Naveen Shetty, director Roshani Bhandari, formally submitted two important memorandums to the visiting dignitaries urging to declare Tulu as the second official language of Karnataka.
A request to rename the Dakshina Kannada district as “Tulunadu”, to better reflect the region’s cultural and historical identity was supported by the Global Alliance of Tulu Associations (GATA), team ILESA, and included academic endorsements from Dr Chinnappa Gowda - ex vice chancellor, Karnataka Folklore University and Dr Sayeegeetha Hegde (Nitte University).
In a heartfelt address, Basavaraj Horatti, chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, described the evening as a heart-touching programme. “All the MLAs and MLCs from Tulunadu will raise their voice in the upcoming Vidhana Sabha session in support of recognising Tulu”. He will personally recommend to the chief minister that Tulu be declared the second official language of Karnataka. His statement was met with loud applause and appreciation from the gathered audience.
Speaker U T Khader commended AATA’s efforts and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality. “Along with MLAs from Tulunadu, many from other districts also support the official recognition of Tulu. We will take this matter to the chief minister and ensure a constructive conversation around it,” he assured.
Regarding the second memorandum, he added, “We will consult experts and initiate discussions on the proposal to rename Dakshina Kannada to Tulunadu.” C B Suresh Babu, leader of Janata Dal, lauded the Tuluvas’ cultural richness and expressed his full support in the Vidhana Sabha for the language’s recognition.
Kaup MLA Suresh Gurme honoured AATA’s leadership by presenting Tulunadu shawls to Bhaskar Sherigar and Shreevalli Rai Martell, acknowledging their tireless efforts to preserve and promote Tulu culture. He pledged his strong backing for making Tulu the second official language of Karnataka. Deputy Speaker M K Pranesh and Ashok M Pattan, MLA for Ramdurg constituency, also joined the dignitaries on the dais, extending their appreciation for the diaspora’s active involvement.
In her concluding remarks, AATA president Shreevalli Rai Martell made a passionate appeal to the dignitaries: “On behalf of the AATA and the entire Tulu diaspora, we respectfully urge you to support the recognition of Tulu as Karnataka’s second official language and to rename Dakshina Kannada as Tulunadu. This appeal was strongly backed by Global Alliance of Tulu Associations GATA, team ILESA, professor Dr Chinnappa Gowda - ex-vice chancellor, Karnataka Folklore University and Dr Sayeegeeta of Nitte University respectively.” She extended heartfelt thanks to all MLAs and MLCs for accepting AATA’s invitation and for their participation and encouragement.
The evening began with a vibrant drum and thase performance by Rajesh Pai Kalsanka, AATA tabla teacher, and Sathish (Boston). The event was skilfully conducted by Preethi U Shetty.
Bhaskar Sherigar warmly welcomed all the guests. A large number of invited guests included founder president of Triangle Tuluvere Chavadi, Raleigh NC, Umesh Asaigoli, prominent Tuluva Harini Bangera from United Nations, AATA members, members of the New England Tulu Koota (NETK), including founder president Dr Sudhakar Rao and several committee members, also participated and expressed their continued support for AATA’s initiatives.
The evening was not only a celebration of cultural unity but also a historic platform for advocacy, amplifying the collective voice of the global Tulu community in its mission to preserve, promote, and gain rightful recognition for its language and identity.