Now, you can grab a PhD in Tulu

Interested in doing a PhD in Tulu language? Though it's not possible in Karnataka or Mangalore University, those interested in pursuing their doctoral thesis in the Dravidian language, can do at Dravida University at Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrahas Rai B, registrar, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, told TOI that students who have completed their Masters in Kannada are eligible as the script followed for Tulu is Kannada.

He said they have come to know that already eight students have registered for PhD, according to Shivakumar, head, Tulu department at the university. The students will have to complete their Tulu diploma after enrolling to the doctoral programme.

Full report here Times of India 

Wahab Doddamane honoured

Well known writer and researcher Mr. Wahab Doddamane of Mangalore was felicitated by the litterateurs in a function that was organised for releasing his book "Tulu Nadige Dharmasthalada Kodugegalu" It was released by the former president of the State Kannada Sahitya Parishat Mr. Harikrishna Punaroor in a simple function.

Mr. Wahab Doddamane has brought out this book highlighting the contributions made by the Dharmasthala institutions to the Tulunadu. He has elucidated in his book a number of achievements of Dharmasthala that has enriched the life of people in Tulunadu including the socio cultural aspect. He has made special mention of the Self Help Groups floated by the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Programme  in improving the economic life of the poor people.

Full report here Mangalorean

Rajendra Kedige bags Kavya Kanchana Award

Kariyina Nempulu (bygone memories), a Tulu poetry composed by Mangalore-based young poet and artist Rajendra Kedige bagged Kavya Kanchana Award by Kanchan Pratishtana in Mumbai.

Kedige’s Tulu poetry Kariyina Nempulu bagged top ranking in World Tulu Poetry competitions held in Mumbai during April. The World Tulu Poetry competitions were organized by Kanchan Pratishtana with the view of encouraging up and coming Tulu poets and publishing their poetry.

Leeladhar Baikampady, chief promotor of Kanchana Pratishtana said that Rajendra Kedige tried to depict the losing sheen of Tulunadu culture in daily life across the coastal district, in his poetry Kariyina Nempulu.  Besides, honest efforts by young poets with due emphasis on preserving Tulunadu culture among the natives despite the globalization was duly considered in the competitions, said Leeladar.

Meanwhile, Leeladhar expressed hope that Tulu literary has greater scope, which has been proved by the response of budding poets, he added.


Full report here Daijiworld

Abbakka award for Shakunthala, Geethabai

Noted Kannada - Tulu writer H Shakunthala Bhat will be honoured with ‘Veerarani Abbakka Prashasti’ while the ‘Rani Abbakka Puraskara’ will be bestowed on International powerlifter Geethabai Ullal on the occasion of 7th Veerarani Abbakka Utsava 2010 to be organised by the Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Samiti in association with Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy at Thokkottu near here on May 22 and 23.

Addressing a press conference here, Mangalore MLA and Veerarani Abbakka Utsava Samiti Honourary President U T Khader said that the awards, which includes Rs 10,000 and citation, will be presented to the achievers at the valedictory of the festival on May 23.

Home Minister Dr V S Acharya, District-in-Ccharge Minister J Krishna Palemar will be the guests.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will be the guest at the cultural programme titled ‘Abbakka Devige Nada Prabhu Namana’.

Full report here Mangalorean.com

Tulu now an optional language

The government of Karnataka has cleared the proposal to teach Tulu as an optional third language in Udupi and Mangalore. The government order has been released on 26th March which has been signed by the under secretary of the government Mr. M.N. Somashekar.

The order said Tulu can be taught as the optional third languages in areas where Tulu is spoken. The teaching can take place in Udupi and Mangalore districts from next academic year, schools can hire Tulu scholars for teaching Tulu and they should make arrangements to train the teachers the order stated. Both private and government schools can take it up.

It could be recalled here that Tulu activists and various organizations had been putting pressure on the government for this order. Speaking to Mangalorean.com Mr. Uday Dharmasthala member of the Tulu Academy said the government had okayed the teaching from 2010-2011. "This had been a long standing demand of the Tuluvas in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. The government has cleared to be taught after sixth standard which has come as a boon to the furtherance of the Tulu culture in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts."

Full report here Mangalorean.com

Kerala govt allots land for Tulu Academy

The Kerala government on Wednesday alloted one acre of land for the Tulu Academy in Kasaragod district, set up two years back to promote Tulu.

The land would be provided in Kadambara village, about 30 km from Kasaragod town, chief minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters after a cabinet meeting.

Welcoming the decision, the Academy authorities said allotment of the land would help in carrying forward the projects to preserve Tulu and promote research and studies. According to Balakrishna Shetty, secretary of the academy, Tulu is spoken by about 2.5 million people in the region. "It is one of the oldest dialects of the Dravidian language family. Unfortunately, Tulu does not have a script of its own. But now books and magazines are brought out in Tulu using Kannada as the script," Shetty said.

Full report here Times of India