Rons Bantwal
Baroda, Sep 29: The Gujarat Billawara Sangha (GBS) on Sunday September 28, at the Shree Baidyashree Cultural Hall in Siddhivinayak Complex, Alkapura, Baroda, Gujarat, religiously performed the Tulu community’s unique traditional festival of Kural Parba - Puddar (festival of tender paddy sheaves) with devotional rituals. Under the able guidance of the Sangha’s Honorary President Dayananda Bontra (Belmannu), Baroda, and the leadership of GBS President Harish V.Poojary Madyar (Derlakatte), the programme was conducted with Vice President Sarita Somanath Poojary leading the Arashina Kumkuma (turmeric vermilion) ritual.
Wearing traditional attire and creating the festive ambiance of Tulunadu, office bearers and members of the Sangha first offered prayers at the Sangha Mandir to Goddess Gayatri, Koti Chennayya and Brahmashree Narayana Guru. President Harish V Poojary carried the tender paddy (kadiru) ceremoniously into the Chavadi (hall), where members and women welcomed the new crop in the traditional manner. Before the decorated altar, Dayananda Bontra performed rituals by offering betel leaves, sprinkling milk, and conducting prayers over the tender paddy, vegetables, and flowers-thus tying the kadire and invoking Mother Nature.
The programme was graced by GBS chief coordinator Vasu V Suvarna, general secretary Santosh Salian, treasurer Sudesh Kotian, joint secretary Ravi Salian and joint treasurer Jyoti S Kotian. Also, present were Prabhakar S Poojari, president of GBS Surat Branch, vice president Kusum Gopal Poojary, Shobha Harish Poojary, Manvit H Poojary, Varnit H Poojary along with several executive committee members and Sangha members.
After the rituals, the first harvest rice (freshly husked new paddy) was cooked, and a purely vegetarian festive meal (Posa Vonas) consisting of new rice, payasa and a variety of curries was prepared and served traditionally. Following the feast, members celebrated the harvest festival with Garba and Dandiya, also marking the annual Dussehra celebrations.
On this occasion, the Women’s Wing of GBS Baroda Branch elected its office bearers Yashoda Nagesh Poojary (chairperson), Yashoda Ravi Salian (secretary), Revathi Rohidas Poojary (treasurer). President congratulated the new office bearers.