Our Story

About The Tulu Cultural Research Foundation (R.)

"Preserving Heritage. Inspiring Generations."

The Tulu Cultural Research Foundation (R.) (TCRF) is dedicated to preserving, researching, documenting, and promoting Tulu language, history, literature, and cultural heritage.

Narrative

Our Journey

How a small idea evolved into TCRF.

The Beginning

Reliable information about Tulu language, history, and culture on the internet was often fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to verify.

This inspired a group of passionate individuals to build a trusted digital knowledge platform dedicated entirely to Tulu heritage.

0221 August 2022

21 August 2022

Tulupedia Beta

A small group of enthusiasts-many of them students-launched the beta version of Tulupedia.

The goal was simple: Create a trusted digital encyclopedia dedicated to Tulu language, history, literature, traditions, and culture.

Initially, only the core editorial team could publish articles. Contributors submitted articles to the team, where they were reviewed before publication.

A Bigger Vision

As Tulupedia grew, the team realized that preserving a culture required much more than an online encyclopedia.

Research. Documentation. Community. Long-term preservation.

These required an institution dedicated to the work.

0415 February 2023

15 February 2023

Birth of TCRF

The Tulu Cultural Research Foundation (R.) (R.) was established.

Its purpose was to encourage research, document heritage, preserve knowledge, and build a community of people working toward the same mission.

Jeetige & Publications

During a research journey to Kerala, members of the team discussed the need for a modern resource to help people learn the Tulu script.

Although similar books existed, they followed older orthography.

This inspired the publication of Jeetige, released in February 2023.

As more publishing initiatives followed, they were brought together under Punname Publications, the publishing initiative of TCRF.

0615 April 2026

15 April 2026

Tulupedia 2.0

Tulupedia entered a new chapter.

The platform evolved from a curated editorial model into a community-driven knowledge platform. Users could now create accounts, submit articles, and contribute directly.

Every submission continues to undergo editorial review by experienced members of TCRF before publication.

The same release also introduced the Tulu Dictionary, expanding Tulupedia beyond an encyclopedia into a broader digital knowledge platform.

Today

Today, TCRF continues to preserve and promote Tulu heritage through research, publications, education, digital initiatives, and community participation.

Why We Exist

"TCRF exists to preserve, research, document, and promote the language, history, literature, traditions, and cultural heritage of Tulunadu while making knowledge accessible to future generations."

Core Pillars

What We Do

The fundamental activities driving our mission forward.

Research & Documentation

Support and encourage research related to Tulu language, history, folklore, literature, inscriptions, and cultural heritage.

Publications

Publish books and educational resources through Punname Publications.

Digital Preservation

Develop and maintain Tulupedia and digital initiatives that preserve knowledge.

Education & Outreach

Conduct Tulu Lipi workshops in educational institutions.

Cultural Initiatives

Install Tulu Lipi boards and promote the use of the Tulu script.

Events

Organize the annual Tulunad Conclave and other cultural programs.

Supporting Research

Collaborate with researchers, students, writers, and institutions working on Tulu-related subjects.

Ecosystem

Our Initiatives

Explore the dedicated projects and tools built to preserve and learn.

TCRF Initiative

Tulupedia

The Encyclopedia of Tulu Knowledge

A community-built digital encyclopedia dedicated to Tulu language, history, culture, folklore, and traditions. The first initiative of TCRF - and the starting point of the entire ecosystem.

✦Independent Site: Hosted and maintained separately at tulupedia.com

✦Open Access: Open encyclopedia-style engine for community contributions and translations.

✦Scope: 500+ articles covering grammar tables, historical epics, and traditional customs.

Read the Story

TCRF Initiative

Punname Publications

Research in Print

The publishing arm of TCRF. Punname Publications transforms years of field research, manuscript studies, and linguistic scholarship into beautifully produced books and papers - preserving knowledge in its most enduring form.

Browse Publications

TCRF Initiative

Learn Tulu

The Language, in Your Hands

From the standardized Unicode Tulu script and downloadable font packs to structured learning resources, Learn Tulu makes the language accessible to diaspora communities and new learners worldwide.

Start Learning

Founders & Office Bearers

Leadership

The team steering TCRF's projects and academic vision.

Core

Mahi Mulki

Honorary President

Advising on organizational vision, cultural outreach, and classical heritage preservation.

Core

Nischith Golithady

President

Directing the executive committee, operational roadmap, and Unicode font initiatives.

Core

Abhishek

Vice President

Assisting executive leadership in organizational operations and partnership frameworks.

Core

Sushan Kotian

General Secretary

Coordinating institutional communications, record-keeping, and general administration.

Meet the Entire Team

Our Impact

By the Numbers

Years of Preservation

Active institutional preservation since establishment in 2023

Publications Released

Books, papers, and journals through Punname Publications

Research Projects

Active and completed scholarly investigations

Scholars & Contributors

Researchers, linguists, and cultural practitioners

Events Organized

Conclaves, seminars, and cultural exhibitions

Archive Items Digitized

Manuscripts, inscriptions, and documents

Vision

Looking Ahead

TCRF envisions a future where Tulu language, history, literature, and cultural heritage are preserved, researched, and made accessible through both traditional scholarship and modern technology.

Future goals include expanding research initiatives, publishing more books, strengthening Tulupedia, developing digital tools, increasing educational outreach, and creating new opportunities for community participation.

Join the Journey

Every generation preserves something. Help us preserve Tulu heritage for the next.

Volunteer Support TCRF Contact Us