Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Jul 23: "Ashada, which is celebrated as a symbol of getting rid of evil spirits, is a traditional festival. This Kannada Sangha is giving us an opportunity to celebrate our childhood days collectively. This is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the folk beliefs of the coast. In those days, our home was our pharmacy. It was a time to enjoy food diversity, culinary culture and healthy dishes. We are fortunate to be able to celebrate those days, which reflect the scientific diet of the coast, even though organizations," said L V Avin, honorary president of Kannada Sangha Santacruz.

Here, on Wednesday night, the office bearers lit the lamp and inaugurated the 2026th annual Ashadhotsam, organized by the Kannada Sangha Santacruz Sansthan under the chairmanship of the Sangha president Sujatha R Shetty, at the Rajyog Sabha Hall in Kherwadi, Bandra East.

The guest speakers included Billavara Association Mumbai president Harish G Avin, vice presidents Purushottam S Kotian, Mohan C Kotian, Billava chamber of commerce and industry executive president N T Poojary, Bunts Sangha Mumbai Women's Section joint treasurer Ratna P Shetty, entrepreneurs Jayashankar Shetty, Mahesh Shetty, Jayakrishna Shetty, Dr Saraswati Shetty, Dr Shashank Kishore, honorary president of Kannada Sangha Santacruz L V Avin, and many other dignitaries were present on the stage.

This can be said to be a women-centric event as the women members of the association prepared the snacks. N T Poojary said that this Kannada association is working very hard locally to preserve culture and care for education.

Celebrating 'Aati Koota' in organizations will encourage the younger generation. It is a good idea to organize programs like 'Aatidonji Dina' (Aati Day) in educational institutions and cultural forums to introduce the youth to coastal recipes and folk arts. Therefore, there is no other day like the happy day of Aati. It is also an auspicious month for strengthening relationships, said Kannada Sangha Vice President Doddaguthu Bhujanga R Shetty.

The month of Aati (Ashadha) is important for the coastal people. Therefore, the Kannada Sangha Santacruz organization is happy to celebrate this festival with the people of the local environment, as a way of remembering and expressing gratitude for the agricultural culture of Tulunad, environmental awareness, coastal folk agricultural life, respect for nature and gratitude to Mother Earth, said Sujatha Shetty in her presidential address.

The programme was attended by the association's promoters Suraj Sadananda Safaliga, Ratna P Shetty, Vajra Poonja, Suchita Shetty, Sudha L Avin, Harini Shetty, Sujata Shetty, Usha V Shetty, Prasanna Shetty, Devendra Bangera, Kannada Sangha's honorary secretary Jaya V Poojary, honorary treasurer Sudhakar Uchil, joint secretary Chandrahas J Kotian, joint treasurer Bannanje Ravindra Amin, education committee working president Vijayakumar K Kotian, secretary Shakila P Shetty, advisory committee member Bhoja N Shetty, and many special invitees and members of the association.

At the beginning, the members traditionally wished for a happy auspiciousness by offering kashaya and jaggery. The holy deity offered prayers. Sujatha Shetty and L V Avin honoured the dignitaries by offering a bouquet of flowers. Social and cultural committee working president Vanitha Y Nonda introduced and compered the programme. Honorary secretary Jaya V Poojary welcomed and expressed gratitude. The women members of the association prepared traditional Ashada style dishes and served them to the gathering along with Rasadauthana.