Raleigh, North Carolina: The All America Tulu Association (AATA) has announced its inaugural North American convention, Siri Parba 2025, scheduled to take place on July 4 and 5, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
AATA, a non-profit organization founded on April 14, 2021 (Bisu Parba), is dedicated to preserving and promoting Tulu language, literature, and culture. Over the years, AATA has undertaken various cultural and educational initiatives, including Tulu-speaking classes, Tulu Lipi (script) lessons, Yakshagana workshops, Tabla sessions, and matrimonial services. It also manages an online Tulu library, Rani Abbakka Genada
Chavadi, which serves as a repository for Tulu literary works.
As part of the historic Siri Parba 2025, AATA has announced the introduction of the Sirimudi Awards, aimed at recognizing outstanding contributions to Tulu literature and culture. The awards were announced by AATA President Shreevalli Rai Martel, Siri Parba 2025 Convener Ranjani Asaigoli, and Award Selection Committee Head Prashant Kumar Mattu through a press release.
The Sirimudi Awards will be presented in twocategories:
1. AATA Sirimudi Award for Tulu Script (Lipi)
2. AATA Sirimudi Award for Non-Tulu Script, for literary works in Tulu written in Kannada or English scripts.
The awards, sponsored by AATA Founder President Bhaskar Sherigar, include a cash prize of ₹75,000, a commemorative plaque, and a certificate of recognition. The Sirimudi Awards will be conferred every four years, beginning with Siri Parba 2025.
The awards are open to literary works in the Tulu language, including novels, plays, poetry, essays, speeches, short stories, historical narratives, philosophical writings, and translations. The eligibility criteria specify that works must either be unpublished or published after AATA’s founding date, April 14, 2021.
Submissions will be judged on quality, originality, and the author’s contribution to Tulu literature. This global award is open to participants from all over the world.
Interested individuals can find more details about the nomination process, rules, and guidelines on AATA’s official website, [www.aatana.org/sirimudi_award] https://www.aatana.org/sirimudi_award), or by emailing [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2025 (Bisu Parba).
AATA has called upon literary enthusiasts and the global Tulu community to participate and contribute to the preservation and promotion of Tulu language, literature, script, and culture.
The Siri Parba convention will feature an array of cultural programs and activities, fostering connections among the Tulu-speaking diaspora and celebrating their shared heritage. The event is expected to draw significant participation from dignitaries, scholars, and Tulu enthusiasts worldwide.
