Eer Kudladara?” (Are you from Mangaluru?)For a Tuluva living thousands of kilometres from Tulunadu, the question creates an instant connection, turning a stranger into a friend and making a foreign land feel a little like home.Across Berlin, Frankfurt, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, the US, Canada, Australia and several other parts of the world, Tuluvas are building vibrant communities beyond simple social gatherings. They help newcomers feel at home, celebrate festivals, teach Tulu, and ensure that those who have left Tulunadu remain connected to their roots.A Slice Of Kudla In BerlinIn Berlin, what began as a small social media group set up by a few friends to document their lives has grown into a vibrant community of the Tulu-speaking diaspora.Kudla in Berlin, led by Sohan Udaya Hegde from Udupi district, now has a WhatsApp community of 500 members. It has helped more than 100 newcomers settle into life in Germany. Members arrange airport pickups, help find temporary accommodation and Introduce newcomers to others in the community. For many arriving in an unfamiliar country, the support means a lot. Since its first meetup in Sept 2025, the community has steadily expanded, organising festivals, sporting events, treks and social gatherings.For Dr Pratheeksha Shetty Meenar, a native of Kubanoor in Kasaragod who is now based in Frankfurt, such gatherings recreate the warmth of home. “They transport me to Kadri Park back home,” said Shetty.Dhruthi Shetty, a student, was taken aback by the sheer number of Mangalureans she discovered in Berlin.The group now plans to organise Yakshagana performances and classes in the Tulu script. “We want to build a stronger network of professionals to mentor newcomers, develop a community website and explore language-support initiatives,” team member Harsha Shetty said.Preserving Words & StoriesBerlin’s story is being repeated in different forms around the world.Tuluvas who have made distant countries their homes are creating cultural ecosystems in which language, food, art and traditions serve as bridges to their homeland.Shreevalli Rai Martell, president of the All America Tulu Association (AATA) and founder of the Global Alliance of Tulu Associations (GATA), is at the forefront of this movement. Her journey began in 2021 with the launch of Florida Tulu Koota. She later founded GATA, bringing together Tulu community leaders from around 34 countries.Martell and her team are developing the Global Tulu platform, including a Tulu Wikipedia initiative. “We work on the website every day to revive forgotten Tulu words and create content such as proverbs, stories and cultural narratives,” she said. The platform publishes stories in Tulu, Kannada and English, accompanied by audio versions.AATA also operates an online library of Tulu books and a matrimonial platform for the diaspora. It c o n d u c t s T u l u script classes twice a year, besides spoken-Tulu sessions aimed at encouraging everyday use of the language.Celebrating Home Away From HomeIn Bahrain, groups such as the Billava Sangha and Bunts Sangha organise programmes connected to Tulunadu.Annual celebrations such as ‘Aati Da Onji Dina’ bring the community together, while artistes from Tulunadu are invited to perform. Nearly four decades ago, the Bahrain Kannada Sangha became one of the first organisations outside India to establish a complete Yakshagana troupe with costumes. It continues to hold weekend Yakshagana classes attended by around 35 students.Tulu Koota Kuwait organises Tulu Parba annually, featuring Pili Vesha, Aati Da Onji Dina and other cultural programmes. Former committee member Manjeshwar Mohandas Kamath said, “Many children visit their native place only once a year and do not get to experience many of its festivals. Tulu Parba recreates our culture to the younger generation and helps pass it on.”In Dubai, UAE Tulu Koota conducts skits, Yakshagana performances, sporting events and cultural programmes. Led by C R Shetty under the patronage of businessman Dr BR Shetty, UAE Tulu Koota has become a major platform for cultural and social activities among the diaspora. The scale of such gatherings can be immense. The Vishwa Tulu Sammelana in Dubai, led by UAE Tulu Koota Dubai, brought together people from around 23 countries and drew nearly 7,000 participants.Organisations such as Tulu Koota Netherlands, Tuluver Canada, Tulu Community UK, Tulu Koota Sydney and Tuluver Singapore—as well as groups in Japan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Ireland—are also sustaining this global network.Language Beyond BordersNational award-winning actor Naveen D Padil, who has travelled to England, Ireland, Nigeria and Australia for Tulu events, believes Tulu has a unique ability to unite people across religious identities.Perhaps that is why a question as simple as “Eer Kudladara?” carries such emotional weight. To a Tuluva far from home, it can mean: You are one of us. We share something.…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Tulu cinema is now reaching international audiences, and children abroad are showing an interest in Tulu films and culture. As an artist, I feel proud.Naveen D Padil, ACTOROur goal is to support fellow Tuluvas in Germany-whether with career guidance or adapting to the new city. We want to ensure that no Tuluva in Berlin feels alone.Sohan Udaya Hegde, MEMBER OF KUDLA IN BERLIN
