Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Jun 14: Keeping in spirit of the monsoon season, a colourful 'Pilikula Male Habba' (rain festival) was organized at Dr Shivarama Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama here on Sunday, June 14.

Tulu actor 'Kusalda Arase' Navin D Padil inaugurated the festival in a unique style by drawing on an umbrella.

Addressing the gathering Navin D Padil said, "In Mangaluru now there are only a few places which are green. Moodushedde was known for hospital but now due to Pilikula Nisargadhama so many are visiting this place for a good family outing. Deputy commsioner A B Ibrahim has done a tremendous job in improving Mangaluru. His 'Male Habba' initiative is a very good move to safeguard the vanishing culture and tradition of Dakshina Kannada. Our district is known for culture and spiritual harmony. I request the deputy commsioner to also focus on Kadri Park and Tagore Park to keep them clean and green."

On a humourous note in Tulu, he added, "We need many more 'barsa habba', 'Tedil habba' and 'Minchu habba' in the coming years."

Deputy commsioner A B Ibrahim, "We are organizing new events every month, but the people of Dakshina Kannada are not showing interest despite very good arrangements, which is indeed saddening. We will put more efforts to reach out to the people. We expect more rain as the day progresses as we have plans to play in the rain. Normally kids told to run inside the house if it rains, but children need to feel the rain. The special concept we have introduced is umbrella decoration. We did not introduce rain dance but have made all arrangement to enjoy the rain festival."

Naveen D Padil and A B Ibrahim played traditional games like jubili, lagori, chenna mani etc, adding more fun to the event.

An umbrella procession of Pilikula Male Habba was the center of the show where traditional and decorated umbrellas were displayed.

A number of saplings were also planted to mark the Male Habba and to spread the message of environment protection. An exhibition of monsoon photographs was another highlight. Jenkara Gana Kala Kendra sang traditional songs of Tulunadu.

Kalkura Prathishtana president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura welcomed the guests.

S A Prabhakara Sharma, executive director, Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama and Roy Castelino, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, others were present.