Due weight to research on queen Abbakka needed, writer B M Rohini

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 10, 2016: Speaking after receiving the Veerarani Abbakka Award during the valediction of Veerarani Abbakka Utsava by the Department of Kannada and Culture at Kallapu in Thokkottu recently. 

Writer and researcher B M Rohini reiterated that Abbakka symbolises Tulunadu’s self-respect. There is no information on Abbakka in Tulu folklore; there are very few records related to her. It is unfortunate that historians have forgotten about Abbakka. The government should give more attention towards procuring the documents towards research on Abbakka,"  Study is required on the records on Abbakka, preserved in the archives of Portugal, she said.

Actor Harini and international sportsperson Lalita Jayaram were honoured with Veerarani Abbakka Puraskara.

Conferring the award and honours, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that efforts are on to celebrate Abbakka Utsava as a state-level fest. The government needs to include Abbakka’s life in school syllabus, he opined. 

MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, who delivered the valedictory address, said that Abbakka was an epitome of self respect and patriotism. ZP president Meenakshi Shantigodu presided over the programme.

A very poor attendance was witnessed on both days of the fest. The orchestra in the evening witnessed four people. Abbakka Utsava Committee working president Dinaker Ullal said that as it was the first programme soon after the lifting of prohibitory orders in Ullal - imposed due to some untoward incidents recently - the people hesitated to turn up at the event and the hot weather too was a factor may be.