Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Mar 16: The Tulunada Rakshana Vedike on Wednesday March 16 demanded the government to rename the Clock Tower circle in front of Town Hall after legendary Tulu actor, director and dramatist the late K N Tailor, and also to provide financial help to his family and install his statue at the circle.

Addressing a protest in this regard at the circle in front of Town Hall, president of Tulunada Rakshana Vedike Yogish Shetty Jeppu said, "State governments have given financial help to the families of artistes everywhere but only the artistes of Coastalwood (Tulu industry) have been neglected. They also have memorials along with their statues. Even though we have spoken to the officers concerned, they have not paid any heed, which is a clear example of the stepmotherly treatment being meted out to Tulu language.

"The late K N Tailor was the first superstar of the Tulu film industry. Even though he was not a tailor by profession he worked for their well-being. The government must immediately name the circle in front of Town Hall after him and also install his statue and provide financial aid to his family," he urged.

Seetharam Shetty, veteran artiste of Tulu film industry and associate of the late K N Tailor, said, "K N Tailor was an excellent artiste. By producing the first Tulu movie he infused confidence in the people of Tulunadu that a Tulu film could be produced. It is the duty of today's Tulu artistes to remember him. To make his name immortal, we have to name this circle after him. I urge the Tulu artistes to unite and work for this cause."

Chief secretary of the organization Prashanth Rao Kadaba, state president of women's wing of the organization Jyothika Jain, district secretary Hareesh Shetty, vice-president of tailors' association Jayasheela and others were present.