Rons Bantwal

Vadodara, Oct 21: Tulu Sangha Baroda celebrated the traditional harvest festival Kural Parba with religious rituals, cultural activities and a community feast, with honorary president Dayananda Bontra Belman calling on the younger generation to preserve Tulunadu's rich cultural and agricultural heritage.

“Kural Parba reflects the life-affirming traditions of our elders and symbolises community unity, gratitude and agricultural culture. It is not merely a religious observance but a cultural treasure that strengthens our inseparable bond with nature,” Bontra said.

Expressing concern over the growing disconnect between younger generations and their roots amid the fast-paced modern lifestyle, he stressed that introducing traditional festivals to young people was essential to safeguarding the region's identity, language and culture for posterity.

Bontra was speaking after presiding over the annual celebration of Kural Parba, also known as Puddar or the harvest festival, organised by Tulu Sangha Baroda at Tulu Chavadi in India Bulls Mega Mall, Baroda, Gujarat, on the occasion of Dasara.

Under the guidance of association president Shashidhar B. Shetty Guruvayanakere, the festival was celebrated in keeping with tradition. Members and children, dressed in traditional attire, enthusiastically welcomed the newly harvested paddy sheaf into the community hall.

Traditional harvest rituals mark festivities

Sudhakar Shetty of Sudha Hotel, Baroda, ceremonially carried the new paddy sheaf, along with agricultural produce, grains, fruits, flowers and vegetables, into the hall, following age-old customs.

At the flower- and fruit-decorated shrine, Bontra performed abhisheka to the sacred paddy sheaf using tender coconut water and milk, offered prayers and tied the sheaf while invoking the blessings of Mother Nature. Members subsequently celebrated the harvest festival in accordance with the traditions of Tulunadu.

Call to take Tulu heritage to global stage

Balkrishna A. Shetty, honorary general secretary of the association, said community events of such significance needed to be organised more systematically and documented for future generations.

He emphasised the importance of cooperation among Tulu associations and cultural organisations to take the region's heritage to a global audience, adding that sustained progress would require active participation and collective efforts.

The programme was organised under the principal coordination of Madan Kumar Moodigere and Karthik Gowda Moodigere.

Those present on the dais included Sudhakar Shetty, entrepreneur and owner of Sudha Hotel, Baroda; Balkrishna A. Shetty, honorary general secretary; P Balachandra Gowda, honorary treasurer; and Dr Sharmila M Jain, working president of the women's wing.

Talented children of association members were honoured for their achievements, while donors who had supported the organisation were also felicitated.

Bhajans and traditional feast round off celebration

A large number of association members attended the programme, with the women's wing presenting devotional bhajans. Following aarati to the sacred paddy sheaf, the celebrations concluded with a traditional vegetarian feast featuring freshly harvested rice, preparations made from new rice, payasam and a variety of vegetable dishes.

Women members offered prayers as part of the celebrations.

Balkrishna A Shetty compered the programme and read out the names of the award-winning children. Dr Sharmila M Jain welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of cultural values, the continued relevance of traditional observances, the future of Tulunadu's heritage and the need for younger generations to take an active role in preserving and promoting their culture. She also proposed the vote of thanks.