The Vishwa Tuluvere Parba-2014 was off to a grand start at Sahyadri College premises in Adyar on Friday December 12. The event has been organized by the Akhila Bharata Tulu Okutta to mark its 25th year, in collaboration with Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.

Dharmasthala Dharmadikari D Veerendra Heggade and chief priest of Tirupati Venkataramana Temple, Ramana Dixith inaugurated the Vishwa Tuluvere Parba. In his address, Ramana Dixith said, “Tulu language will survive, grow and develop till the sun and the moon last. The rich culture and language handed down to us by our ancestors should be protected and further developed. Vishwa Tuluvere is an occasion to celebrate and to protect the language and culture of this land for the future generation.”

Padmashri Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade who presided over the programme said, “Several hands have worked for the success of Vishwa Tulu Samelana which was held at Ujire in 2009. The present day Tuluvas have started to use the Tulu script in their wedding invitation cards. In contemporary scenario, speaking Tulu has become a matter of pride and duty of Tuluvas. Tulunadu is a blessed land. There are several temples throughout the Tulunadu. Several great personalities have been born in this sacred land. Tulunadu has witnessed several feats of achievements by various personalities. There are several educational institutions and people are into hotel and bank business in several parts of the world. Mr. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman Sahyadri Educational Institutions, Mayor Mahabala Maarla and MLA Moideen Bhava also spoke on the occasion.

Health minister U T Khader, Hemavathi Heggade, ZP president Asha Thimappa Gowda, Dharmapal U Devadiga, Damodar Nisarga, and Janaki Brahmavar, president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and others were also present in the programme.

‘Sahyadri Tuluvere Isiri’, an intercollegiate cultural competition was organised on December 11 and 12 sponsored by Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management. Mrs. Shreelatha, AAO and Naveen Pilar, head of Art & Culture, has coordinated the programme. Sri Shasthavu Bhothanatheshwara Trust has organised ‘Kreedotsava 2014’, at Sahyadri Campus on December 13 and 14. Photography expo organized by Mr. Vasanath Kedige, featured prize winning photographs of photography competition held on account of the Vishwa Tuluvere Parba. Mr. Manjunath Bhandary has been honored on the occasion along with other dignitaries.

Around one and half lakh people has visited the programme during the three-day event which was held at the Nethravathi river bank. Variety of programmes have been organised from morning till evening, on all three days. Exhibition of Tulu traditional attires, ‘Atil Aragane,’ sports events and photo exhibitions, book expo and art expo has attracted the visitors.