Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 10: A primer on the Tulu script, ‘Tulu Varnamrta’, authored by Prahlad Tantry, and a monthly Tulu magazine, ‘Punnameda Bolpu’, were released at Mulki on Friday as part of World Tulu Script Day celebrations.

The programme, titled ‘Tulu Pajje’, was organised by the Tuluva Mahasabhe Mulki zone and the Tulu Cultural Research Foundation (TCRF). It also featured a seminar on granting official status to Tulu.

Explaining the objective of his book, Tantry said the primer sought to bring uniformity to the use of the Tulu script, as a standardised system was yet to be established. He said the book would help readers understand ancient manuscripts and adapt the script for contemporary use.

The newly launched monthly magazine will have Mahi Mulki as editor-in-chief and Nishith G Ramakunja as executive editor. Mahi Mulki, founder of TCRF, also delivered a lecture on ‘Arunabjana Bharatakavyada Porlu’.

Addressing the gathering on the official status of Tulu and the way forward, GVS Ullal, founder-president of Namma Tulunadu Trust, said Tulunadu could have emerged as a “golden state” for the country if it had been constituted as a separate state during the reorganisation of states, considering its strengths in education, banking and other sectors.

Inaugurating the programme, Vasudeva Belle, principal of Mulki Government Pre-University College, highlighted the significance of Tulu and its rich script tradition. He said the script deserved greater attention and concerted efforts for its development. Language, he noted, was an integral part of human life and essential for the expansion of the material world.

Bhanumathi Shetty Kakvaguthu, president of the Tulu World Foundation, Kateel, called for collective efforts to preserve and promote Tulu and translate the recognition accorded to the language by the government into meaningful progress. She also urged students to learn the Tulu script together.

Udaya Poonja Taripadiguthu, president of the Tuluva Mahasabhe Mulki zone, stressed the need to introduce Tulu script classes in every school and college. He also called for collective efforts towards the formation of a separate Tulu state.

TCRF president Nishith Ramakunja and Nishanth Rathnakar, head of the foundation’s linguistics and research team, were present.