The ancient coastal kingdom that survived empires and sea-reclaiming legends

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before modern borders, the region of Tulu Nadu existed as a distinct cultural landscape. From the maritime records of Greco-Roman geographers to the epic ballads of the Dravidian coast, discover how this vibrant community maintains its unique identity through centuries of shifting imperial rule.

Tulu Nadu, a southwestern coastal region of India, encompasses parts of Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, as well as northern Kerala's Kasaragod. The region's history is deeply intertwined with the Dravidian linguistic family, with the Tulu language spoken by an estimated two to three million people. While the language was traditionally written in the ancient Tigalari script, it is now more commonly written using the Kannada script.

The area's antiquity is evidenced by Sangam literature, early Tamil writings dating from roughly the 1st to 4th century CE, which mentions the region. Even the 2nd-century Greco-Roman geographer Ptolemy recorded the name 'Olokhoira,' which scholars believe refers to the region or the Alupa dynasty. The Alupas were one of the longest-relegated native dynasties, ruling from approximately the 5th to the 14th century CE, often maintaining independence even while under the nominal suzerainty of larger powers like the Kadambas or the Vijayanagara Empire.

Cultural traditions in Tulu Nadu remain strikingly distinct. The community practices unique religious customs, such as Naga Aradhane (serpent worship) and Bhuta Kola (spirit worship), alongside performing arts like Yakshagana dance-drama. Socially, some communities historically followed Aliyasantana, a matrilineal system of inheritance. Despite being part of larger political entities—from the Vijayanagara Empire to the British Empire—the Tulu-speaking people continue to advocate for the constitutional recognition of their language in India's Eighth Schedule.

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