Media Release

Udupi, Oct 24: The documentary Pilivesha of Tulunadu, produced by Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), has earned an official selection at the Tokyo Documentary Film Festival (TDFF) 2024. The film has been chosen for screening in the visual anthropology and ethnographic film category, standing out among over 800 submissions from around the world. It is one of only two films selected from India, marking a notable achievement for MAHE and the region it represents.

The documentary is set to be screened on December 5, as part of the festival, which runs from 30 November to 13 December 2024. Directed by Dr Praveen K Shetty, coordinator of the centre for intercultural studies and dialogue (CISD), and Nitesh Anchan, research associate at CISD, the film offers an exploration of Pilivesha, a traditional folk dance native to the coastal Karnataka region.

CISD is housed in Manipal Centre for European Studies at MAHE, Manipal and has been working on the project Discerning India: Living Cultures of Tulunadu. Launched in September 2021, this project aimed to bring the cultural heritage of Tulunadu—a region encompassing Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Kasargod districts—to a global audience through an online course. The course includes documentaries, expert lectures, and academic readings, providing an immersive experience into Tulunadu's living traditions. The course has already been completed by 450 participants, primarily students, enriching their understanding of the region's heritage.

Alongside the course, CISD has published a book titled Living Cultures of Tulunadu, offering visual insights and information on various aspects of the region’s cultural traditions. Continuing its mission to document and promote local heritage, CISD is now focusing on a new project centered around Kambala, the traditional buffalo race connected with the region’s agrarian practices.