Tulu people


The Tulu people or Tuluva people are an ethnic group native to Southern India. They are native speakers of the Tulu language and the region they traditionally inhabit is known as Tulu Nadu. This region comprises the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi in Karnataka and a part of Kasaragod district in Kerala. The Census report of 2011 reported a population of 1,846,427 native Tulu speakers living in India.

People and identity

Tulu speakers are divided into various castes. The major Tulu speaking castes are Shettigar / Padmashali, Mundalas, Mogeras, Bairas, Samagaras, Billavas, Sapaliga / Sapalya, Bunts, Mogaveeras, Kulala's, Devadiga's, Tulu Brahmins, Vishwakarmas and Nayak's etc. Mangalorean Protestants are also Tulu speakers.

Culture

Tuluvas follow a matrilineal system of inheritance known as Aliyasantana, where inheritance is from uncle to nephew, except for Brahmins and Vishwakarmas. Other distinctive features include the rituals of Yakshagana, Bhuta Kola, Nagaradhane Aati kalenja and Kambala.
Tuluva New Year is called Bisu parba, which falls on the same day as Baisakhi, Vishu and the Thai New Year.
Tuluva Paddanas are sung narratives, which are part of several closely related singing traditions in Tulu language, Paddans are sung during occasions which describe the evolution of Tulu tribes and Tulu culture.

Demand for Tulu Nadu

From India's independence and following the reorganization of states, the Tuluvas have been demanding national language status for Tulu and a separate state for themselves called Tulu Nadu, based on their language and distinct culture. Though somewhat subdued for a while, this demand has grown stronger in recent years. Several organizations like the Tulu Rajya Horata Samiti have taken up the cause of the Tuluvas, and frequent meetings and demonstrations are held across towns in Tulunadu to voice their demands.

Prominent Tuluvas