Mangalore: Prof. B.A. Vivek Rai, the former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi Kannada University, expressed that Dr. Vamana Nandavara’s study of folk literature had scientific discipline along with the beauty of rural life. He added that the natural thinking perspective of the researcher and his poetic skill of crafting poetry were in perfect harmony with each other.
He was speaking at the tribute meeting held at Tulu Bhavana in Mangalore in honor of the late Dr. Vamana Nandavara, the former president of the Karnataka Tulu Academy.
Prof. Vivek Rai praised Dr. Vamana Nandavara’s book Koti Chennaya, describing it as a masterpiece that emerged from an in-depth study of the folk traditions and fieldwork. He emphasized that international researchers who studied Koti Chennaya and Tulu folk literature always referred to Dr. Vamana Nandavara in their work, which was a recognition of his contribution to the field.
He also mentioned that the book Ponnakanthi, a memory compilation from the 66th All India Kannada Literary Conference held in Mangalore in 1997, was published under Dr. Vamana Nandavara's leadership. It stands as evidence of his scholarship and academic discipline.
In 2001, Dr. Vamana Nandavara submitted a petition through then-Chief Minister S.M. Krishna and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, urging the inclusion of the Tulu language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Prof. Vivek Rai reminded the audience that this was the first formal petition submitted in this regard.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Chinnappa Gowda, a retired Vice-Chancellor and Tulu scholar, noted that the true essence of Dr. Vamana Nandavara’s life was his hard work. He emphasized that Dr. Nandavara’s cultural and institutional contributions would always be remembered.
Dr. Vamana Nandavara’s daughter, Hemashree, shared that her father raised them in an environment of literature and culture, and there was no distinction between their personal, family life and the literary-cultural environment they were part of.
Taranath Gatti Kapikad, the president of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, spoke about Dr. Vamana Nandavara’s contributions as a founding member of the Academy, and as the editor of its quarterly journal Madipu. He further praised Dr. Nandavara for establishing a new research foundation for the Academy and for ensuring its name was forever etched in the history of Tulu literature and culture through research, workshops, and publications.
In the program, renowned scholars such as Dr. Tukaram Poojari, Dr. Ganesh Shetty Ekkaru, Dr. Jyothi Chelai, Bhaskar Rai Kukkavalli, Bennett Amman, Ganesh Kudroli, Kalluru Nagesh, and others expressed their thoughts.
Singers Mime Ram Das and Tonsi Pushkal Kumar paid tribute by singing Dr. Vamana Nandavara’s songs.
Other dignitaries present included Umar Y.H., President of the Bary Literary Academy, Joaquim Stani Alvarez, President of the Konkani Literary Academy, A.C. Bhandari, former President of the Tulu Academy, Rajesh G., Assistant Director of the Kannada and Culture Department, retired Commissioner Prabhakar Sharma, Shakuntala Shetty, President of the Coastal Writers and Readers’ Association, and various prominent figures from cultural and literary organizations such as Vasudev Uchhil, Dinakar Ullal, Chandrahass Ullal, former Corporator Prakash Salyan, social activist Munir Katipalla, Prof. Krishnamurthy, Param Anand Salyan, Jitu Nidle, Dr. Prakash Chandra Shishil, and Chandrahass Kananturu.
The program was welcomed and concluded by Tulu Academy President Tharanath Gatti.