Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 14: Mangalore Bishop, Aloysius Paul D'Souza, regretted that of late, communal harmony in Tulunadu was often being breached. He gave a call for strengthening the concept of universal brotherhood and tolerance towards other human beings in the region.
He was speaking after inaugurating 'Tuluvere Aisiri Pantha' on the second day of the three-day 'Vishwa Tuluvere Parba' being held on the occasion of the silver jubilee of the formation of Akhil Bharat Tulu Okkoota in association with Tulu Sahitya Academy on Saturday.
In his address, which was delivered in Tulu, the Bishop pointed out that Christians have made rich contributions to the growth of Tulu. He reminded that prayers are held at Pavoor church near Manjeshwar in Tulu even now. 'In the past, we used to hear rich acclaims for Tulunadu for its culture, heritage, language, harmonious co-existence etc. However, of late, whenever Tuluvas visit foreign land, often they come across disturbing questions about communal disturbances here. We should end this,' he asserted. The Bishop revealed that Tulu happens to be his favourite language.
Tulu Okkoota president, Dharmapal U Devadiga, honorary president, Damodar Nisarga, chairman of Sahyadri Education Foundation, Manjunath Bhandary, Kadri Navneeth Shetty, and several other dignitaries were present.
Purely non-violent Kambala
On the second day of the three-day 'Tuluvere Parba' under way at Sahyadri College premises at Adyar nere here since Friday, it was decided to make the traditional folklore sport of the coast, 'Kambala', into a non-violent event. It made pitch to make the Kambala free of illegal activities. It also hoped that Animal Welfare Board, which was behind this ban, will also extend the concern it has shown about organizing events like this, to other sport events in which animals are used.
The above decisions were taken at a session on holding of Kambala organized on the second day of Tuluvere Parba. This session, held at Dr Venkataraja Puninchithaya Chavadi, was chaired by Gunapal Kadamba, convener of Kambala Conservation, organization, and Training Academy. District Kambala Samiti president,Bhaskar S Kotian Irvathur, Kambala organizers, Gopalakrishna Prabhu Suratkal, Kulur B R Shetty, Rajeev Shetty Yeltoor, and some others presented their views and ideas at this session.
Gunapal Kadamba explained that Kambala is not a competition between pairs of buffaloes. 'Kambala means a spacious slushy field, which may be a combinaion of several agricultural fields belonging to different people demarcated with border stones,' he clarified. He insisted that Kambala is totally different from 'Jallikattu'. Bhaskar S Kotian explained that the concerned have sit up and taken note of the hugely successful protest held on November 29 relating to Kambala. He said that handling of whip during Kambala by the person who steers the buffaloes' is a symbol of honour. Bauffaloes may attack a person trying to control them, if he does not hold a stick in his hand,' he added.
Rajeev Shetty Yelthoor said that it is possible to hold dialogue with the above board and convince them about the non-violent nature of Kambala. He said that the Kambala Samiti can commit to keep violent people outside the Kambalas.
The session was presented by Pradeep Alva Kadri. All India Tulu Okkoota honorary president, Damodar Nisarga, and others were present.
Sunday will be the last day of the Parba.