World Tulu Convention Inaugural Showcases Tulunadu’s Traditional Grandeur

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
News: Rajesh S/ Daijiworld

Beltangady, Dec 10: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa at Rathnavarma Heggade stadium in Ujire here on Thursday December 10 inaugurated the historical and mega event of tuluvas, World Tulu Convention. Speaking on the occasion, CM said that the convention should emphasize on renaissance of Tulu script. He expressed the opinion that the languages that lack script are facing the danger of gradual decline. “It is very important for a language to flourish as it depicts a culture of the region. Languages perish, the cultures perish,” he said and added that the state government is contemplating a move towards providing official status to Tulu.

Prior to the inaugural of the convention, a two-hour long traditional procession that began from Ujire Janardana Swamy temple at 3.30 pm highlighted the Tulu culture with several Tuluva women with kalashas and paddy corns being part of the procession accompanied by traditional Tuluva welcome music and led by traditional Tuluva leader seated on an elephant. The grandeur to the procession was lent by about 40 cultural acts depicting Tuluva culture and tradition such as Kanggilu kunitha and Maribhoota among others.Ujire, situated about 60 kilometres away from Mangalore is all decked up befitting the grand scale the Tulu Sammelan has been planned. About five kilometres of roads leading to the town has been uniquely decorated welcoming the visitors to the convention.

Among the attractions of the convention venue is Ajjarakallu Tulu Grama, an effort to recreate Tulu village in a 10-acre-land. The village is almost a replica of the ancient Tulunadu. The structures were created by the artists toiling for about two months. The creations are designed by eminent artist Jagadish Ammunje and his team. The speciality is that each house in the village has been brought to life by actors, trained under theatre director Jeevanram Sullia, most of who are playing the chief of the particular house of a certain lifestyle.

The book exhibition with books displayed on Tulu and exhibition showcasing ancient agricultural and household tools typically of Tuluva culture too are drawing in a lot curious visitors. Various breeds of cocks used for Korida Katta, Tuluva traditional game of cock fight are also exhibited in a separate exhibition.

In a bid to save Tulu language and culture which is facing danger of decline as per the recent studies, the team headed by Dharmastala dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Alva’s Foundation, Moodbidri chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, Tulu Sahitya Academy president Palthadi Ramakrishna Achar and several other eminent personalities were instrumental in organizing the convention to unite tulu speaking people. The gathering over a lac on the day one is sure to script a success story of the four-day long Tulu convention.