UDUPI, Nov 2: A new Tulu font named 'Allige', developed by a young second Pre-University Course (PUC) student, was formally launched during a recent cultural and historical program held at the Mahatobhara Panchalingeshwara temple in Barkur.

The event centered around celebrating the historic capital of Tulunad and the significance of the Tulu script. Barkur gram panchayat president B. Shantaram Shetty inaugurated the programme, noting that historical documents and over 800-year-old structures substantiate Barkur's past as a capital state.

Font Creator Honored: Second PUC student Prahlad P Tantry, the young innovator behind the development of the Tulu font 'Allige', was publicly felicitated at the ceremony.

Historical Significance: While releasing the font, former Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy member Dr. Akash Jain highlighted the deep roots of the language, stating that 10th-century stone edicts, over 56 inscribed stones, and more than 1,500 palm-leaf writings and poems in Tulu have been discovered.

Advocacy for Education: Speakers at the event, including Jai Tulunad Sangha vice-president Vishu Srikera and temple head Manjunath Rao, emphasized the need to drive a revolution in Tulu education and restore Barkur's historical glory. Concerns were also raised regarding the absence of formal Tulu-medium schools in the state compared to other linguistic institutions.

Appreciation: Local educators teaching the Tulu language were also honored alongside the student developer for their contributions to preserving the regional script and heritage.