News: Karnataka announced Tulu as the state’s second additional administrative language in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

About Tulu

• Language Family: Dravidian.
• Main Region: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod (Kerala).
• Tulu-speaking region is traditionally known as Tulu Nadu.
• It is distinct from, though linguistically related to, Kannada and Malayalam.

Historical Background

• Tulu has a history of over 2,000 years.
• Mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature and the Greek papyrus Charition.

Script

• Tulu had its own script, used mainly between the 15th–18th centuries.
• Modern Tulu literature is largely written using the Kannada script.

Constitutional Status

• Tulu is a non-scheduled language.
• It is not included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• The Census treats Tulu and its speakers as a separate linguistic community.