Call for early inclusion of complete Tulu script in Unicode standard: Dayanand Kathalsar

Team Udayavani, Sep 11, 2024, 5:38 PM IST

Mangaluru: The process of including the Tulu script in Unicode is currently about 80% complete. Recognition of the Tulu script by Unicode is essential for Tulu to become an official state language and be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, said Dayanand G. Kathalsar, former President of the Tulu Sahitya Academy.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Kathalsar explained that while the Tulu Tigalari script has been approved by Unicode, the actual Tulu script is yet to receive approval. He noted that there is about 25% difference between the Tulu and Tulu Tigalari scripts. Similar to the Kannada and Telugu scripts, these two scripts share common elements, but Tulu Tigalari, which has roots in Brahmi script and was prevalent in the Uttara Kannada region, is not the same as the Tulu script.

Kathalsar further said that the work for the inclusion of Tulu in Unicode began in 2017 after discussions. U.B. Pavanaja had initially only sent a proposal to Unicode, but no further steps were taken. With the support of Beluru Sudarshan, the then Secretary of E-Governance under Chief Minister Yediyurappa, and with the full backing of the Registrar and all members of the Tulu Sahitya Academy, significant progress was made under the leadership of Dr. Akash Raj Jain.

He said that the Jai Tulu Nadu organization, led by youth members, also contributed to the ongoing efforts. Continuous attempts to include the script have been made since the tenure of former President Prof. Vivek Rai. However, some final work remains to be done for full inclusion in Unicode.

Kathalsar urged the current Tulu Academy President and members to complete the remaining tasks.

He also clarified that the statement claiming the Tulu script has already been recognized by Unicode is false. Dr. Akash Raj Jain took over the responsibility from Dr. Pavanaja when the latter stepped away due to personal reasons, and the task continues under the Tulu Sahitya Academy’s leadership.

Present at the press conference were former Academy member Nagesh Kulal, Jai Tulu Nadu President Udaya Poonja, and member Kiran.