Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Nov 4: Prasar Bharati, the public service broadcaster, has denied the demand to increase the broadcast time for Tulu language programmes on Akashavani Mangaluru radio station. This was in response to a letter sent by Bharathesha Alasandemajalu, resident of Perlampady in Puttur, who is an ardent lover of Tulu language, requesting for increase of time for Tulu programmes, broadcast on Akashavani Mangaluru.

At present, All India Radio (AIR), Mangaluru devotes only 6.2 hours in a month for programmes in Tulu. The reason cited by Prasar Bharati, for this denial, is that Kannada is the language that is spoken by majority people in Mangaluru and it is not feasible to increae the broadcast time for programmes based on Tulu.

Accroding to Sanjiv Dosajh, assistant director of programme (policy), AIR Mangaluru is broadcasting a variety of Tulu programmes including folk music, Tulu Paddana songs, traditional songs of 'Bootha kunitha' and also the poplular Yakshagana. In addition, a special series called 'Swara Mantame' for the release of new books and CDs on Tulu literature, films and folk culture is being conducted since eight months at the studio.

S Ushalatha, programme head, AIR Mangaluru also spoke in the same lines of Sanjiv Dosajh and said that the station is covering all the aspects of Tulu culture including movies, folk songs etc and 'Swara Mantame' is a unique initiative taken by the Tulu division of the station.

It seems more effort is required by the concerned Tulu academy and other organizations to make Prasar Bharati give more emphasis to the Tulu language.