Mangaluru : District in-charge Minister U T Khader inaugurated week-long Tulu drama fest organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy in association with Mangaluru City Corporation, at Town Hall on Saturday,

Speaking after inaugurating the  fest he promised that he will take measures to release additional grants required for the completion of Tulu Bhavana in Mangaluru.

The grants will be released by the Department of Kannada and Culture, he added.

“An additional Rs 3.5 crore was sought for the completion of Tulu Bhavana. There is no problem in releasing the amount. A proposal will be submitted to Kannada and Culture Minister to sanction the amount”.

“Tulu is a rich language. Tulu theatre has contributed to the growth of Tulu language. Theatre has brought together all Tulu speaking people. The Tulu Sahitya Academy should organise drama fest in taluks too,” said Khader.

In his presidential address, Tulu Sahitya Academy President A C Bhandary said: “The MCC gave Rs 5 lakh assistance for organising Tulu drama fest last year. We expect financial assistance this year too,”

Senior artiste of Chitrakala Arts Gangadhar Shetty Alake was felicitated. Sridevi Group of Institutions Chairman A Sadananda Shetty, and others were present.

‘Pu maale’ directed by Gangadhar Shetty Alake staged on the occasion.

Other plays to be staged are Thabarana thelike (March 10 Ratnakar Rao Kavoor), Kaala Koodudu bannaga (March 11, B Padmaraj Rao Perdoor), Mannina Magal Abbakka (March 12, Seetharam Kulal), `Porlu’(March 13 Sanjeeva S K) and Gaggara (March 14, K V Shetty) and Bayya Mallige (March 15, Sanjeeva Dandakeri).