Mangalore University to confer Honoris Causa on Prof. B A Viveka Rai

March 2, 2017

Mangaluru, Mar 2: Mangalore University will be awarding Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) to eminent educationist, Folklorist and Kannada Professor B A Viveka Rai in the 35th Annual Mangalore University Convocation on March, 3, 2017 at 10.00 am in the Mangala Auditorium, Mangalagangothri.

Dr Rai, a native of Mangaluru, Karnataka was a guest professor with the Department of Indology, University of Wurzburg, Germany till recently. Earlier he was a Professor of Kannada Language, Literature and Folkloristics in Mangalore University, Karnataka. Prof. Viveka Rai has also been the Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi and the Karnataka State Open University (2007-09). He has done extensive studies on Tulu, the regional language of Mangaluru and Dakshina Kannada and published volumes of literature on the same. Tulu song “Yekka Saka” from popular movie “Koti Chennayya” was written by Prof. Viveka Rai.

Dr. Rai hails from the Punacha village of Puttur in Dakshina Kannada District and has completed his Masters degree in Kannada from Mangalore University and Ph.D from Mysore University. He has served Mangalore University as Lecturer, Reader, Professor and Head of the Department for about 34 years in teaching and research of Kannada. Currently he is serving as a Guest Professor, Dept.of Indology, University of Wurzburg, Germany.

He has served as the Vice Chancellor of Hampi Kannada University and Karnataka State University, Mysore. He is also the founder president of Tulu Sahitya Academy. He has honorary membership at Folklore Fellows, Finland, Central Sahitya Academy, Karnataka Sahitya Academy, Karnataka Folk and Yakshagana Academy, Governing Committee of Central Kannada Sahithya Parishath, Udupi regional folk arts research centre at Udupi, and Pilikula Nisarga dhama trust, Mangaluru.

He has been conferred upon with Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, Muliya Thimmapayya Award, Presidentship of the Karnataka folk literature conference, Karnataka Culture Conference, Karnataka Desi Conference, World Tulu Sammelan held at Dubai.

Tulu Proverbs, Tulu riddles, Tulu culture, Tulu folk literature, Indian traditions, riddles in literature, Gilisoove, Irula Kannu, Hindana hejje, Rangadolagana Bahiranga, Bagilanu teredu, Inside Germany, Kannada linguistic writings, Nettara Maduve, Siri Epic as performed by Gopala Naika, along with 15 more works have been compiled by Dr. Rai. He has also been the Chief Editor of History of Tulu literature and the Kannada Jain Samputa.

He has undertaken research in countries like Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Japan, America, England, Austria, France, Dubai, Abudhabi, Sharjah and has guided 16 Ph.D researchers and 10 M.Phil researchers.

Currently he is creating and maintaining the “Samskrithi Grama” or Culture village at Pilikula Nisargadhama and is also undertaking the translation of Kannada literature into German language.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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