Mangalore: Aatidonji Dina In Pilikula Celebrates Tulunadu’s Culture, Tradition
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (RS/SB)
Photo Album : Click Here
Watch Video.. Click Here
Mangalore, Jul 29: Aatidonji Dina, a day in the month of Aati (a month as per Tulu calendar that falls in between second half of July and first half of August) was celebrated with the intention of recalling the rich Tulu tradition and thereby preserving the same at Samskruti Grama, Pilikula Nisargadhama in association with Tulu Sahitya Academy and Taluk Mahila Mahamandalagala Okkuta on Wednesday July 29.
The programme arranged at Guttu house was inaugurated by planting coconut sapling and also lighting the lamp on the mane-mancha (traditional altar used at worship place of Hindu spirits). Speaking after the inauguration, Palthady Ramakrishna Achar, president of Tulu Sahitya Academy said that the Aati celebration, a tradition in Tuluva culture has scientific value. Our ancestors who were well aware of the environmental changes as well as changes in the human body during the month brought in the tradition of celebrating the Aati by preparing various cuisines that had medicinal value, he observed.
Writer Bola Chittaranjandas Shetty in his presidential speech said that if the culture has to retain its value then there is a need to celebrate it. If our intrinsic culture and tradition is not remembered then it is sure to face decline, he said.
Dr Vaman Nandavar, project officer of Samskruti Grama in his introductory speech said that the programmes that celebrate tradition though faced criticism in the beginning, off late is gaining lot of support. He called on people to continue organizing such programmes to preserve culture and thereby pass it on to the generation-next.
Showcasing Tulu culture and tradition
As part of the celebration the guests and visitors were treated by serving traditional delicacies prepared during the month of Aati. The mouth-watering food items included patrode, saradye, mambala, tekkareda adye, pelakkayi gatti, neerdpadina kukkuda (mango) chutney, nurge (drumstick) chutney, kuduta chutney, curries such as tetla kajipu and tajank kajipu among others.
Guests and students of School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya were also given an opportunity to play chennamane, a traditional game of Tulu Nadu. Further, traditional items used in the house and outside as well as agricultural equipment were exhibited at the venue. Guests and visitors had a look at the traditional wooden items used for weighing grains such as kalase and seru, agricultural equipment like noga and nayer (used for ploughing), as well as kantya and kuruve (traditional baskets) among others.
Exhibition of rare medicinal plants and exhibition-cum sale of Tulu books too were the added attractions.
Shivanand Bekal, station director, Akashavani, Mangalore, Rajani Dugganna, deputy mayor, Mangalore City Corporation, Dr Gananath Yekkar, NSS convener in Mangalore University, Philomena Lobo, principal and assistant director in DIET, Mangalore and Harsha, President of District Working Journalists’ Association were the chief guests. J R Lobo, managing director for Pilikula Nisargadhama Society welcomed and Dr K V Rao, training director, Pilikula Regional Science Centre delivered the vote of thanks.