Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR/MB)

Mangalore, Oct 7: A seminar on 'Challenges faced by Tulu theatre' was jointly organized by Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Tulu Peetha and Chowta Pratishthana in Mangalore University campus on Saturday Oct 6.

Speaking on the occasion, Mangalore University VC Prof K M Kaveriappa, referring back to history elucidated that there were about 10,000 languages and cultures in India over 100 years ago, out of which 3,300 languages have disappeared,leaving behind 6,700 languages and cultures. According to a UNESCO study 80 major languages of the world are trying to take over other languages and if this trend continued, by the end of the 21st century, all these languages would vanish, he rued.
 
In this context, he opined that if Tulu vanished, the Tulunadu culture would also disappear from the scene, since a culture is essentially dependent on the language and any culture can be studied or followed only through a language, he stressed.

Further he stated that Tulu cannot be preserved merely through literature or releasing cassettes, but with the active participation of the people. He also lauded the efforts made to have Tulu recognized as a national language.

Another speaker, litterateur Dr Amruth Someshwar declared that "huge influences are surrounding us, and therefore we need to seriously think what can be done to preserve the culture of the land." He opined that the rich heritage of Tulunadu must be studied, propagated and enjoyed although it faces lots of challenges from the modern era. Tulu drama that gives answers to the present challenges must take the stage, he pointed out.

Theatre expert I K Bolwar also speaking on the occasion advised that Tulu plays should leave themselves open for experimentation. Another speaker theatre director Krishnamoorthi Kavattar said plays must be open to changes.

Playwright D K Chowta urged for starting of a ‘Chowta Pratishtana’ to give back to the society whatever he has received. According to him a sum of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 should be kept aside to be utilized for staging Tulu plays. He further assured that he will bear the cost of printing the books published in Mangalore University and sponsor by way of scholarship a sum of Rs 5,000 for a music student for 5 years.

Mangalore University Kannada department HOD Dr Abhay Kumar, litterateur Muddu Moodubelle, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president M K Seetaram Kulal and Tulu Peetha co-ordinator K Chinnappa Gowda also spoke on the occasion. A dance-drama ‘Kariajjina Kathekulu’ was also performed thereafter.