Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, May 9: "Six literary figures have been chosen for the prestigious Tulu Sahitya Academy honorary awards and for the annual book award. They have been chosen for their contribution to Tulu literature in the 2011," said Umanath A Kotian, president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.
Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday May 9, he said that the honorary awards will be conferred on Bola Chittha Ranjandas Shetty (literature), J Sitaram Shetty (theatre) and T A Srinivas (cinema).
In addition, Puttige Padbhnabha Rai for his Tulu novel ‘Satyadrishti’, Dr Ashok Alva Rai for the story 'Onji Kundu Nalpa Kathekulu’ and Rathnakar Rao Kavoor for his drama ‘Bhootala Pandye’ were chosen for the annual book award.
The honorary award comprises Rs 10,000 in cash, shawl, citation, memento and garland, while the book award includes Rs 5,000 in cash, memento and citation. The awards will be conferred during a ceremony to be held on June 16 at Town Hall.
For the book award, there were three nominees each for Tulu fiction - B T Salian, Anasiyal and Padmanabha Rai, and in drama category ‘Bhoothala Pandye’ of Rathnakar Rao was nominated among his three other works. There were four nominees for the story book category - Bhaskar Nellithirtha, Naresh Kumar, Shinanadola and Dr Ashok Alva.
Umanath Kotian said that for award nomination a minimum of three entries is must. Hence, poetry and astrology books were not nominated for the awards as the entries were less than three.
To a query on why two Tulu films ('Bangarda Kural' and 'Aamait Asal Eamait Kusal' were released in a span of one week even though the audience is limited, he said that the decision is not taken by the Academy and that the date of release is fixed in accordance with the opinion of the producers and the core team. "We can only suggest on how to go about and support their venture," he opined.
He then said that instead of blaming the limited number of Tulu viewers, the movie crew should come up with good and quality movies to attract crowds.
He also said that henceforth, Tulu will be included as the third language in primary schooling. We have had a discussion with the authorities concerned of DK and Udupi districts. The former has given better support than the latter, he said. If there are no Tulu language teachers to teach the subjects, we will take up the responsibility to appoint some," he informed.