A Workshop on the Untold Story of Veera Rani Abbakka, one of coastal Karnataka’s earliest freedom fighters

Nitte Institute of Communication in association with Ullal Veera Rani Abbakka Samiti conducted a Workshop on the Untold Story of Veera Rani Abbakka, one of coastal Karnataka’s earliest freedom fighters on 27th November 2022 at the Institute premises. Sri. K Jayaram Shetty, former MLA, inaugurated the session and Sri. Dinakar Ullal, President Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava Samiti, delivered the keynote address. 

Rani Abbakka was unarguably one of the earliest freedom fighters in this region and her bravery should not go unremembered, said Jayaram Shetty in his inaugural address. History has recorded how she gathered her army, which consisted of people from all castes and communities and repulsed the Portuguese time and again. Ullal, which was her capital and also a flourishing port, was the hub of the spice trade to Arabia. Being a profitable trading center, the Portuguese, Dutch and British vied with one another for control of the region as well as the trade routes. They were not able to make much headway as the resistance from the local chieftains was very strong. 

  

Dinakar Ullal, in his keynote address, speaking from recorded history, said the brave queen, married to Lakshmappa Arasa Bangaraja II, King of Banga was also among the few to use fire arrows or flaming arrows in her battles. She defeated the Portuguese in several battles, forged an alliance with King Zamorin of Calicut, but finally thanks to the treachery of her estranged husband, who had joined forces with the Portuguese, was captured and imprisoned. She lost her life in prison, brave till the end. 

In his presidential address, Prof (Dr) Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, Vice Chancellor Nitte DU called upon students to read and understand local culture. He said that students need to visit areas of interest in and around Mangalore to get a feel of history. The bravery of our freedom fighters should not be forgotten, he said. 

Smt. Dhanalakshmi Gatty, former Zilla Panchayat Member, Sri. Sadananda Bangera, former President, Mogaveera Sangha, Sri. Anand K Assaigoli, Treasurer, Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava Samiti, Dr Sayeegeetha, Head, Department of Humanities were present. The formal function was followed by the screening of the documentary, Rani Abbakka, directed by Ms. Tiya Chatterji. Prof Raviraj, Head, Nitte Institute of Communication delivered the vote of thanks.