Daijiworld Media Network-Mangalore (KM) - pic - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Oct 17: Queen Abbakka was the first woman freedom fighter of the state.  But unfortunately historians neglected her, lamented Prof Amrutha Someshwara, senior scholar in folklore and writer in Kannada, Tulu and Malayam here on Wednesday October 17. 

He was addressing the gathering at Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy office after releasing the Tulu books titled Mannda Magal Abbakka' (Queen Abbakka daughter of the soil) and 'Darmogu Darmada Saval' written by MK Seetharam Kulal, president Tulu Sahitya Academy on Wednesday here.

Queen Abbakka has been neglected politically, socially and historically, the negligence and soft nature of the Tuluvas might have been the reason for this. She stands tall in the Indian history as she is the epitome of communal harmony and ideal ruler, he added.

History must be the outcome of a deep study, extensive research and vast reading. Details given by a historian must be authentic. This applies in the case of Queen Abbakka in all respects, as she ruled Ullal taking every one into confidence, he emphasized. 

Language must be refined and scholarly when it comes to lives of historical figures, the write-up must neither be exaggerated nor neglected. Hence layman's language can not be used. Author must know the thin line drawn between day-to-day language and language used by the historical figures, he remarked. 

The history of India must be read by children so that they are inspired to read the histor;, otherwise Rani Abbakka would mere be an entry in the India history.  It is a rude fact that 95%of people living in Ullal do not know who Abbakka is. This must not continue, he cautioned.

Sharavu Raghavendra Shastri, managing trustee, Sharavu Mahaganapathi temple presided over the function.  A paper was presented on Darmogu Darmada Saval by Dr Vamana Nandavara, scholar in folklore while Dr Gananatha Yekkar, HoD of Kannada, Government College, Udupi presented a paper on Mannda Magal Abbakka. 

K Tejomaya was the chief guest on the occasion. The occasion was graced by Shubha S Kulal, wife of Seetaram Kulal.

Sarojini Shetty welcomed the gathering and the programme was compered by Dr Ganesh Amin Sankamar, lecturer, St Aloysius College.