Peter Claus, American Tulu researcher passes away

Mangalore Today News Network

Dec 31, 2018: American researcher Dr Peter J Claus, who extensively studied Tulu culture and folklore, passed away on December 30,  Sunday. He was 87. Dr Claus headed the Department of Anthropology at the California State University.

He had carried out research on Tulunadu from 1967. He had followed the participation method and was well-versed in the use of Tulu and Sanskrit. Before coming to Dakshina Kannada for research, Dr Claus learnt Kannada through interaction with Prof M B Krishnamurthy and Dr A K Ramanujan. He was also honoured with the Gaurava Prashasti by the Tulu Sahitya Academy in 2004.  He studied the kinship system in the Bunt community and was also attracted to folk art like Paddana and Siri cult.

According to researcher Prof A V Navada, after Dr Claus’ study on kinship among Bunts, he visited the coastal district four to five times and expanded his knowledge of Tulu culture.

Prof Navada and Subhashchandra have translated eight research articles of Dr Claus and published as ‘Tuluva Darshana’. Up to 15 articles of Dr Claus, related to Tulu will be published by Prasaranga of Mangaluru University next month.