Art a Powerful Medium to Preserve Heritage, Says Ganesh Somayaji

Art a Powerful Medium to Preserve Heritage, Says Ganesh Somayaji

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 31, 2026: Senior artist Ganesh Somayaji has said that documenting the cultural and historical heritage of a village through art is a commendable effort that helps preserve local history for future generations.

He was inaugurating the two-day “Manel Gramodonji Chitrakoota” painting workshop organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy in association with the INTACH Mangaluru Chapter and Rani Abbakka Chavadi Manel at the auditorium of Manel Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Temple.

Historian and retired lecturer Dr. Pundika Ganapayya Bhat, who delivered a lecture on the history of Malali village and Rani Abbakka, said that research on the legendary queen remains incomplete. He stressed the need for objective, evidence-based studies rather than glorification and called upon researchers to rely on original historical sources.

The programme was presided over by Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President Taranath Gatti Kapikad. Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar S. Bhoomareddy extended his greetings and best wishes to the organisers and participants.

Prashanth Kumar Kattemar, a descendant of the Kattemaru family that hosted the workshop, temple trustee Vaman Naik Manel, Manel Juma Masjid President Abdul Razak, INTACH Mangaluru Chapter Convenor Subhash Chandra Basu and Purandara Kulal were among those present.

Academy member Booba Poojary Malali welcomed the gathering. Retired lecturer Akshay Kumar compered the programme and briefed participating artists on the historical and cultural significance of local heritage sites.

Artists Rajendra Kedige, Wilson D’Souza, Santosh Andrade, Jeevan Salyan, Harish Kodialbail, Reshma S., Deergha M., Nashmita D.N., Sreekanth A., Abhishek Teerthahalli, Rupesh Suvarna, N. Sandeep and Likhith Poojary participated in the two-day painting workshop.