Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)
Pic courtesy: Gulfkannadiga.com
Udupi, Feb 21: Peter J Claus, professor Emeritus, department of Anthropology and Asian Studies at California State University, US, was conferred the prestigious 'Baidashree Literary Award' here on Wednesday, February 20.
The award is instituted by the Brahmabaidarkal Samskritika Adhyayana Pratishtana. It was presented to Prof Claus by MLC V S Acharya, for a special study done by him on ‘Seri’ rituals and other aspects of Tulu culture. He was chosen for the award for especially giving a new dimension to Tulu folk study.
On the occasion, in his acceptance speech Prof Claus won the hearts of the audience by speaking a few lines in Tulu. He said, 'Nikulu korthina sanmaana enku mastu kushi aanthundoo. Apanda avoo panere enkoo English boloo apundu.' Translated into English prof Claus meant that he was extremely happy to receive the honour from the organizers. However, to express these feelings he will need to make use of the English language, he said and added modestly 'I am not sure I deserve it.'
Later in his speech he informed that 'Bhuta' rituals, 'Padadanas' (Tulu oral epics) and the social structure of Tulu society were inter-related. He said that when he started his research on certain aspects of Tulu culture at Gurpur village in DK district, he had gone personally to the fields to hear the women sing 'Padadanas' while doing their work.
While doing his research he learnt Tulu. However, he did not attempt to translate the 'Padadanas' into English as he felt its beauty would be lost if translated into another language. He declared 'The 'Padadanas' have a beauty of their own, which is not borrowed,' thus giving a stamp of originality to these ancient folk songs.
On the occasion a book entitled ‘Epic of the Warriors’ (‘Koti Chennayya Pardana’) original Kannada version edited by Damodara Kalmady and translated into English by Shankaranarayana D Poojari was released by the deputy commissioner P Hemalatha. She informed in her speech that the government had identified 97 acres of land near Karkala in Udupi district to construct the 'Jitu Chennayya Theme Park.' A sum of Rs 1 crore had been sanctioned for the project and a committee set up to discuss the methods by which the meaning of the theme could be brought out. Work on this would begin shortly, she added.
Folklore research scholar, Regional Research Centre for Folklore Performing Arts, S A Krishnaiah and director of National Folklore Support Centre, Chennai, M D Muthu Kumaraswamy were the chief guests. Muthu Kumaraswamy in his address said that translations of 'Padadanas' should be brought out.
The programme was presided over by MP Vinaykumar Sorake.