ART-M, a visionary organisation show cases different trails in our region to woo the domestic and international tourists.North Malabar of Kerala upto Payyannur was in erstwhile South Canara Dt of earlier Madras province till the state reorganisation of 1956.The region from Kundapuram of Karnataka in the north till Payyannur in the south was known as Tulunad which had it’s own unique culture, literature, music, martial arts etc.and social customs and not to mention about the centuries old food practices.We, in ART-M are trying to bring out show case the uniqueness of Tulunad to the modern world.

Tulu is a native language used only for conversation, tribal songs, rituals etc but had no alphabets. Of late an alphabetical system was developed by Tulu enthusiasts but by using Kannada alphapets. Tulu is considered as one of the five sweet languages on the planet, others being Persian, Bengali etc. Several cultural forms exist in Tulunad where the tribal diaspora dominated. Most of the prominent Brahmin families, Bunts etc also speak Tulu. Rich with an agrarian economy flourishing in the Karavali region ( coastal ) between the westetn ghats and the arabian sea , Tulunad has been proud as a privileged community. They welcomed traders from all parts of the globe, allowed The Malik Deenar, the associate of Prophet Mohammed to establish one of the first ever mosques in India at Kasaragod, fought wars against Mysore kings and later against the British, had historical encounters between local kingdoms and so on. The prominent Ballal kingdom, Móoshika Dynasty, Mayipadi Royals, Bambraana Dynasty etc. were brave enough to fight head on against Chirakkal Raja, Hyder Ali, Tipu etc.and later against the British under the Tipu. Historical sites were built by those Tulu kings. The world famous Bekal Fort, the construction of which was started by Shivappa Naik was aTulu king based at Kumbala. Forts were also built at Polali, Chandragiri, Kumbala, Kasaragod etc all with red laterites.

Yakshagana, the famous art form of Kasaragod was founded by the late Pardhi Subbaiah of Kumbala. Kumbala Pardhi Subayya was a great poet and writer just as we have the late Vallathol Narayana Menon, poet, nationalist as father of Kadhakali in Kerala.The Yakshagana Puppet Museum, only the second museum that now surviving in India ( and the world ) is existing in Kasaragod. ART-M is trying to promote this museum and the puppet show on Yakshagana by the great grand son of Pardhi Subayya. A tulu Academy was recently forned jointly by Karnataka and Kerala governments. A Yakshagana Museum is also there in Manjeswaram.

We have so many religions, so many languages and has a secular, pluralistic and all inclusive diaspora which contributes the region with immense potential to attract world tourists. Within 40-50 kms we are able to make tourists experience high ranges , planes and beaches. All the forts made by Tulu kings including the iconic Bekal Forts stand as unique monuments to the valour and spirit of the past. We show case our ‘ ART-M Tulunad Monsoon Trail’ in August-September in association with reputed organisations of tour operators.

Enriched by rich forest, valleys, planes,beaches, forts and rivers and the friendly approach by the people of this region really make The land of Saptha Bhasha, Kasaragod (and Tulunad in particular ) a unique destination. It has in it’s credit exciting stories of sacrifices that our freedom fighters made and ART-M plans a Freedom Trail also very soon.