INTACH Mangaluru’s World Heritage Week opens with talk on Tulu language by Dr. Ganesh Amin Sankamar

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, November 19, 2025: The World Heritage Week 2025 organised by the Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Art Kanara Trust, began with an oration by noted author and Tulu scholar Dr. Ganesh Amin Sankamar on Wednesday, November 19. Titled ‘Tulu Bashe Bokka Baduk’, the talk explored the history and evolution of the Tulu language. The weeklong heritage celebrations, hosted at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture from November 19 to 25, feature talks, workshops, demonstrations and an exhibition showcasing the region’s art and cultural heritage.

In his address, Dr. Ganesh examined the deep links between the Tulu language, agriculture and indigenous belief systems. “Tulu language is rooted in agriculture; its origin and essence emerge from that soil. Along with agrarian life, the belief system surrounding Daivaaradhane formed the two foundational pillars of Tulu,” he said. He noted that as Tulu-speaking communities moved away from agrarian life and into other occupations, the language began to shift. “With the commercialisation of our belief system and rituals, we have lost the essence of our language,” he observed. Drawing from his lived experiences and reciting verses from traditional pardhanas, Dr. Ganesh traced the linguistic, cultural and social evolution of Tulu across generations.

Earlier, welcoming the gathering, INTACH Chapter Convener Subhas Chandra Basu outlined the objectives of the annual heritage week and the programmes planned this year. “This is our third year of celebrating World Heritage Week,” he said. Jeevan Salian introduced the guest speaker, and Nemiraj Shetty proposed the vote of thanks. The session concluded with the felicitation of the speaker.

The World Heritage Week celebration will continue till November 25 at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture. It includes an art exhibition titled “Namma Ooru Namma Nela”, which will open on Saturday, November 22, at 5:30 p.m., and remain open till November 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.