Tulu Nadu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tulu Nadu
Region
South Canara, an erstwhile district, forms the centre of the Tuluva region called 'Tulu Nad'.
Country	India
State	Karnataka, Kerala
Districts	Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod
Founded by	Parashurama
Largest City	Mangalore
No. of districts & Talukas	3 District and 18 Taluks
Area
• Total	10,432 km2 (4,028 sq mi)
Population  (2001)
• Total	3,957,071
• Density	356.1/km2 (922/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Kannada, Malayalam
• Spoken	Tulu, Kundagannada, Konkani, Beary, Arebhashe
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
Telephone code	0824, 0825
ISO 3166 code	ISO 3166-2:IN
Vehicle registration	KA19, KA20, KA21, KA62, KA70, KL14.

Tulu Nadu, also known as Tulunaad, is a special region located on the southwestern coast of India. It's a place rich in culture and history. The main group of people living here are called the 'Tuluva' (or 'Tuluver'). They speak a unique language called Tulu, which is part of the Dravidian language family.

Tulu Nadu: A Special Region in India

Tulu Nadu is a cultural area, not an official state or administrative region. It's known for its unique language, traditions, and history. Even though it's not a separate state, many people feel a strong connection to their Tulu identity and culture.

Where is Tulu Nadu?

Historically, Tulu Nadu stretched between two rivers: the Gangavali River in the north and the Chandragiri River in the south. Today, Tulu Nadu includes parts of two Indian states:

• The Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts in Karnataka.
• The northern parts of the Kasaragod district in Kerala, up to the Chandragiri River.

Who are the Tulu People?

The Tulu people, or 'Tuluva', are the main group living in Tulu Nadu. They have a rich cultural heritage, including unique festivals, art forms, and traditions. Their way of life is deeply connected to the land and its history.

The Tulu Language

The Tulu language is a very old Dravidian language. It has its own script, which has been used for hundreds of years. Many people in Tulu Nadu speak Tulu, along with other languages like Kannada, Malayalam, Konkani, and Beary.

Important Cities in Tulu Nadu

Mangalore is the biggest and most important city in Tulu Nadu. It's also a major city in the state of Karnataka. Other important cities in the region include Udupi, Kasaragod, and Puttur. These cities are centers for trade, education, and culture in Tulu Nadu.

Why is Tulu Nadu Special?

Tulu Nadu is special because of its long history and unique culture. It has been home to many ancient kingdoms and has developed its own distinct traditions over centuries.

A Look at History

For a long time, from the 2nd century to the 15th century, the Alupas ruled this region. They were an important local dynasty. Tulu Nadu has also been a center for different philosophies and religious movements, like the Dwaita philosophy.

The Idea of a Tulu Nadu State

Since 1956, there has been a movement to create a separate state for Tulu Nadu. This movement started after the Indian States Reorganisation Act, which redrew state borders based on language. People who support this movement believe that Tulu Nadu should be its own state to better preserve and promote the Tulu language and culture.

Images for kids

• 

  Royal emblem of the Alupas, the ruling dynasty of the region from the 2nd century to the 15th century C.E.

• 

  Tulu script has been used for Tulu since at least the 10th century.

• 

  A Yakshagana artist portraying a rakshasa (demon)

• Mangalore 075.jpg

  A typical house in Tulu Nadu, with the roof constructed using Mangalore tiles

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  Chaturmukha Basadi, Karkala

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  Shri Madhva Acharya, a Hindu philosopher and the chief proponent of the philosophy of Dwaita or Dualism.