INTACH–Art Kanara Trust mark International Mother Language Day with dialogue on multilingualism in Mangaluru

INTACH–Art Kanara Trust mark International Mother Language Day with dialogue on multilingualism in Mangaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru February 22, 2026: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Art Kanara Trust, organised a discussion on “Multilingualism and Cultural Identity in Mangaluru” on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, Ballalbagh, to mark International Mother Language Day. Scholars, writers and cultural practitioners reflected on language as a vital component of intangible heritage and the need to preserve linguistic diversity in a rapidly changing world.

In his opening remarks, Subhas Chandra Basu traced the origins of International Mother Language Day. “The observance has its origins in the 1952 language movement for recognition of the Bangla language in present-day Bangladesh and was later recognised internationally as a day to promote linguistic diversity,” he said.

The discussion featured Prof. P. Krishnamurthy, former Principal of Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal; poet and author Raghu Idkidu; poet Anarkali Saleem (Mandya); senior journalist Raymond D’Cunha of Pingara; and author Subraya Bhat.

Prof. Krishnamurthy moderated the session, inviting speakers to share their perspectives on language and identity. Reflecting on the region’s linguistic ethos, he said, “We live within a multilingual culture. Though we have different mother tongues, the emotion within language reminds us that despite our differences, we share a common bond, and it is this spirit that has shaped Mangaluru’s linguistic relationships.”

Raghu Idkidu spoke on the cultural depth embedded in language. “A mother tongue goes beyond the limits of communication; it plays a vital role in shaping one’s character, values and culture,” he said.

Anarkali Saleem reflected on his bilingual experience. “Though I speak Urdu at home, I have learnt Kannada throughout my life, and it is Kannada that has become the primary language of my literary pursuits and creative work,” he said. 

Raymond D’Cunha spoke about the spread and resilience of Konkani. “Konkani is spoken by over 40 communities across different religions and castes. The language migrated out of Goa and spread along the western coast. Today it is widely spoken in Mangaluru,” he said.

Subraya Bhat addressed the distinctiveness of Havyaka Kannada. “Havyaka Kannada is a unique dialect, closest to hale (old) Kannada. Though I believe it is difficult to write literature in this dialect, there have been several efforts in that direction,” he remarked.

The discussion was followed by an interactive session in which participants spoke about language-based community engagement abroad, the relationship between language of thought and speech, the rise of English-medium education, and the need to foster interest in mother tongues among younger generations.

The programme concluded by reiterating the importance of safeguarding linguistic diversity as an integral part of the region’s cultural heritage.