Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 31: Prof Peter J Claus (76), who worked as professor emeritus of anthropology in California State University Hayward, a folklore scholar, who worked with Tuluvas for three and half decades, is no more.
Claus had learnt Tulu and published several articles and works about Tulu language, culture, folklore including Paddanas, and immensely contributed to Tulu language and culture through in-depth studies. Prof Claus, who was suffering from ill health since the last some years, breathed his last on December 28 at Montana, California, USA.
Prof Claus had won Meritorious Performance and Professional Promise Award, CSUH. He was also consultant for Ford Foundation between July and December and Full bright visiting professor for Kuvempu University.
Prof Peter J Claus was born in 1942 at Schenectady, New York and studied in the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He secured BA degree in anthropology (major) in south Asian Studies in 1964.He got MA through the University of Wisconsin. He secured his PhD degree from Duke University in 1970 with anthropology as major subject.
Prof Claus had undertaken travel of India as a researcher in 1967. He was attracted by the way of living of people of Tulunadu and the nature here. He came with his family and was armed with a small tape, photo reel camera, and silent video recorder when he first came.
He got shelter in the house of K S Hegde, father of retired Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde, at Kinnikambla near Bajpe. He conducted international folklore workshop at the regional theatre arts studies centre in 1988-89.
In 1988 he applied for fellowship and served Mangalore University in the capacity of visiting professor for six months. He published the work, 'Folkloristic and Indian Folklore' in 1991. In 1989-90, Prof Claus along with Prof B A Vivek Rai, had published a quarterly publication, 'Karnataka Folklore Newsletter'.
At Udupi, Peter J Claus got shelter in the house of Chandayya Heggade at Hiriyadka. Later, he came in touch with Dr L C Soans. He depended on Hiriyadka Gopal Rao to understand different facets of Yakshagana.
With the support of Prof Ku Shi Haridas Bhat, he conducted research on various issues along with S A Krishnaiah about Siri, and other folklores of Tulunadu. He was an ardent lover of Tulu language. He has left behind a huge mine of information through unpublished Paddanas and notes.
Prof B A Vivek Rai is of the opinion that a collection of English articles of Prof Claus, if published in an integrated manner, will help Tulu study a lot.