Mangaluru : Scholar and researcher A.V. Nadava said here on Saturday that there is a need to study why all Siri epics are in a particular format.

He was speaking at a function organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy to release ‘Siri Kavyalokana’ by senior folklore researcher Ashok Alva and published by the academy.

The study of why Siri ‘paddanas’ (sung narratives) are in a particular format should be conducted from social, cultural and gender perspectives, Mr. Navada said. The book by Mr. Alva is a comparative study of Siri epics. According to Mr. Alva, of the eight Siri epics, five have been published.

He said that the late Peter J. Claus laid the foundation for the study of Siri epics.

Aerya Lakshminarayana Alva, senior writer, released the book. Scholar B. A. Vivek Rai spoke.