Mangalore: Bisu Sankranti - Common Beliefs and Customs

by Richie Lasrado, Resident Editor, Daijiworld.com

(with inputs from Dr Vamana Nandavara
former president, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy)

Pics Dayanand Kukkaje

April 14, 2007

Mesha Sankranti festival which normally falls on April 14 signifies the Sun's transit to the zodiac Mesha Raasi as per Indian astrological calculations.

Known in Punjab as Baisakhi, in Tamil Nadu as Puthandu, in Kerala as Vishu, this festival is Bisu for the Tuluva community in and around Mangalore. All these nomenclatures are mere variations, no doubt.

Vishu is more probably denoting one of the equinox days, the two points of time when the duration of day and night is equal to each other. There is a school of thought which says that Bisu actually should be on March 21. That apart, those following the solar movements in their calculations treat April 14 as the Mesha Sankranti.

The Sun is being held in awe and respect as one who would cause sunlight, rain and influence the elements of nature,  while the moon has a milder image in the people's minds. Moon's movement, his waxing and waning changes etc are believed to bring about more sobre influence on human life. Moon's effect like moonlight is thought to give a soothing influence. Hence he is considered dear to the mankind.

Yet, the Moon's existence is not as tangible and influence-bearing in the day-to-day life as the Sun's. It is perhaps for this reason man has found it more reasonable and scientific to follow the solar-based Mesha Sankranti, alias Vishu.

The Tulu-speaking community observes Bisu in the following manner:

• Get up early in the morning, have a thorough wash and then place select produce of nature like fruits, vegetables, flowers, grain etc. together with gold, vessel, mirror and other things in front of deities' idols and offer prayers. Prostrating in front of the deities also is part of the custom.
• Placing the 'kani' in the rice fields in another custom that is being followed. 'Kani' is placing of certain items like branches of selected plants and a small mound of clay which is regarded as good omen which would ensure 'Dhanyalakshmi' (the grain goddess) to rule in the plot.
• Planting of a few grains in the bundings of the fields with ash etc. as a sign of ensuring the quality of the grain.
• In the pre-land reforms era, it was customary for the agricultural tenants to bring their quota of agricultural produce to the landlord's house, surrender it and seek permission to continue the farming for another year.
• Although not common in Mangalore and around, in other parts of west coast like Kerala, the Konna flowers (Cassia fistula) are a must in the rituals connected with this festival.

• The observance of this feast is marked by acquiring new clothes for all members of the family.
• A fair or jatre is held specially to mark this festival in Sajipa village of Bantwal taluk

Besides tasting jaggery ('gur') and neem leaves as a balance between sweet and bitter things life, breadfruit ('gujje palya), sweet gruel with cashew kernels ('payasa') as main ingredient, mango juice etc. are prepared.

Since Bisu marks the new year in the Tulu calendar, it heralds an opportunity for new plans and projects and new concepts.

Happy Bisu to all our Tuluva brethren.