The Hindu

Mangalore, Mar 25: The Vice-Chancellor of Mangalore University K.M. Kaveriappa said on Saturday that the university was ready to open a postgraduate department in Tulu studies if the State Government gave financial support.

He was speaking after inaugurating a debate on Tulu folk epic "Siri" at Mangalagangotri. The debate was organised by Kannada University, Hampi, and the Department of Kannada of Mangalore University.

Dr. Kaveriappa said that the university was trying to get grants from the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the 11th Five Year Plan for "area studies". A proposal to this effect would soon be sent to the Union Government, he said. Dr. Kaveriappa said that the university was not lagging behind in its efforts to promote Tulu.

The university, through its Kannada department, had taken up various activities related to Tulu language and literature. The department had introduced an optional paper on Tulu literature for postgraduate students. It had also opened a museum that housed equipment and materials related to Tulu folklore and culture, he said. The university had published various books related to Tulu language and literature. In addition to this, it had a chair on Tulu studies.

Dr. Kaveriappa said the university was keen to open a department of Tulu studies, but it required support from the Government and Tulu lovers.

B.A. Vivek Rai, Vice-Chancellor, Kannada University, Hampi, who presided over the function, said that "West-oriented" methodology and theory should be dropped while studying the country's folklore and culture.

Sometimes, political interests acted behind framing of theories related to folklore, literature and social sciences.
There was dichotomy in the "West-oriented" research methodology and theories. Emulation of it should be avoided, he said.

Research

Amrut Someshwar, writer, said that research on epics should be done objectively and glorification of characters based on caste or any other consideration should not be done.

In Tulu literature "Kordabbu padhana", a Dalit epic, had not been highlighted and studied as extensively as "Siri" and "Koti-Chennaya" epics, he said.

B.M. Puttaiah, Head of the Department of Study of Kannada Literature, and K. Abhaya Kumar, Head of the Department of Kannada, Mangalore University, spoke. K. Sundar Naik, Registrar of Mangalore University, was present.