Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, Jun 19: In a positive step towards preserving the rich Kodava culture, Mangalore University Academic Council passed a statute approving the institution of ‘Kodava Samskritika Adhyayana Peetha’ at a meeting held here on Monday June 18.

The meeting, led by University vice-chancellor Prof K M Kaveriappa, was attended by 15 council members.

The decision comes after the state government’s proposal to institute an endowment chair in the University. The deputy chief minister promised to release a fund of Rs 25 lac towards the installation of the Peetha. An annual grant of Rs 2 lac will be used to meet the objectives of the Peetha.

The Peetha will be installed with the aim of studying the Kodava culture, its history, archaeology, literature and other elements. The main objectives will be archiving the documents related to Kodava history and culture, to study religious beliefs, practices and folk arts, to encourage the people to preserve the culture and to study the Kodava monuments.

Among those present were University registrar Sunder Naik, local inspection committee chairman Prof P S Yadapadithaya and others.