Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Feb 26: Taking a significant step towards promoting the Tulu language, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has included Tulu on the main signboard at its building entrance. The new board was unveiled on Monday by mayor Manoj Kumar in front of the MCC office, marking a milestone in the local body’s commitment to recognizing and elevating the status of Tulu within official spaces.
Speaking on the occasion, the mayor said the initiative reflects MCC’s dedication to ensuring greater visibility for Tulu and sets an example for other urban local bodies in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district.
"We have taken a meaningful step by incorporating Tulu on the main signboard of the MCC building. This effort will undoubtedly encourage other urban local bodies in the region to follow suit and include Tulu on their official boards," he said.
He further announced plans to introduce Tulu signage at MCC's zonal offices in Surathkal and Kadri, as well as at the two MCC auditoriums – Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall and Ambedkar Bhavan. Additionally, welcome boards featuring Tulu script will be installed at various entry points to the city.
Push for Tulu’s official recognition
Clarifying MCC’s stance on the language movement, the mayor reiterated that while there is no demand for a separate Tulunadu state, the longstanding request for official recognition of Tulu remains.
"We have consistently urged the government to grant Tulu official language status and include it in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. We will also request MLAs and MPs of the region to take steps to incorporate Tulu on signboards at Mangaluru International Airport, New Mangalore Port, and railway stations," he said.
Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty highlighted the disparity in official recognition among the ‘Pancha Dravida Bhashe’ (five Dravidian languages), pointing out that Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil have received official status, while Tulu continues to be overlooked.
"Tulu has a rich cultural and linguistic heritage, yet it remains unrecognized. All Tuluvas must unite, setting aside differences, to push for its rightful place in the Constitution," he said.
He also acknowledged public demands to rename Mangaluru International Airport as Tulunadu International Airport and to name a railway station after Tulunadu, calling them reasonable requests that would be taken up at the appropriate level.
Former Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy chairman Dayanand Kattalsar urged Tuluvas to respect all languages while taking pride in their mother tongue.
The event was attended by MCC council opposition leader Anil Kumar, former mayor K Bhaskar, corporators, and representatives of various Tulu organizations.