Mangaluru: Tulunadu is home to diverse languages and cultures, and every community should take pride in its mother tongue, author Dr. Vasudeva Belle said at the sixth annual Dasara Multilingual Poets’ Meet held at Tulu Bhavana in Mangaluru.
Inaugurating the event, organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy in association with the Tulu Parishat and Mayuri Foundation, Belle said linguistic and cultural diversity was the region’s greatest strength.
Every language has its own cultural background and distinctive characteristics, he said, emphasising that pride in one’s mother tongue was essential for its preservation and growth.
Vijayakumar Bhandari Hebbarbail, editor of the Tulu magazine Poovari, presided over the programme. Author Dr. Zeta Lobo, poet U.K. Khalid Ullalkar and V.B. Acharya attended as chief guests and conveyed their best wishes.
Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Taranath Gatti Kapikad delivered the introductory remarks.
Poems in 14 languages
The gathering celebrated the linguistic diversity of Tulunadu, with poets reciting their works in 14 languages: Tulu, Shivalli Tulu, Mavilan Tulu, Arebhashe, Chitpavani, Beary, Marathi, Konkani, Kundagannada, the Koraga language, Karada, Malayalam, Kannada and Havyaka.
Among the participants were Sharada Shetty, Vijayaraj Puninchathaya, Rajendra T. Karike, Prof. Sanjeeva Kudpaje, Sharath Kumar Tulupule, Ayesha U.K., Subhash Perla, Andrew L.D. D’Cunha, Manjunatha Gundmi, Deepika Udupi, Jyotsna M. Kadandelu, Ravindran Padi, Sri Mudradi, Mangala S. Bhat, Vanajakshi P. Chembrakana and N. Subraya Bhat.
Academy member Santhosh Shetty Hiriyadka welcomed the gathering, while member Pangala Babu Koraga compered the programme. Shubhodaya Alva, president of the Tulu Parishat, proposed the vote of thanks.