Karkala: 31st Krushi Mela Reiterates Splendour of District's Agrarian Culture at Bajagoli
News & Pics: Shekar Ajekar, Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (RD/RX)
Karkala, Feb 4: The colourful procession led by a decorated elephant drew the attention of a large gathering at 31st Krushi Mela at Bajagoli, near here on Friday, February 4.
Krushi Mela is a significant project of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) that is held in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, Shimoga, Uttara Kannada, Chikmagalur and other regions across the state.
Vasant Kanajar donned the costume of Mahatma Gandhi seated in a bullock-cart passing in a procession was the speciality of Krushi Mela. The tableaus of traditional agricultural tools that convey the rich culture of Tulunadu were also part of Krushi Mela.
The farmers carrying the traditional plough setting out to their fields, a group of 41 men of Pragati Bhandu self-help-groups from Nallur, trumpet musicians, horsemen and two groups of women self-help-group of Mala holding colourful umbrellas added splendour to the procession.
The paddy filled in traditional measures from Bajagoli market, palakim laden with tender coconuts and fruits, traditional musicians with trumpets, puppet-show, women carrying areca nut bunches and mattugulla variety of brinjal from Udupi relived the memories of agrarian cultural of coastal district.
The hundreds and thousands of people gathered besides the road to view the traditional procession of Krushi Mela.
Highlights:
The women students of Alvas College rendered the melodious prayer song. The innovative folk singing of Tulunadu by Karkala’s up-coming talented singer Yogish Kini lauded by the gathering.
The galleries were set up to seat over 8,000 spectators. The life-size sculptures of Balaram and Parashuram were set up in front of the pandal, the pillars and gallery were decorated by mango leaves and stalls were set up either side of the gallery.
The display of making traditional agricultural tools was set up on Government College mini playground. The members of Moodbidri Raita Sangh wore green shawls. The tendu-leaves woven artistically covered mini domes witnessed the creativity of farmers.
The school children including women were also present in large numbers. Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade presided over the programme. Union law minister Veerappa Moily inaugurated the programme.
Hemavati Heggade, MLAs Abhayachandra Jain and H Gopal Bhandary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLC Captain Ganesh Karnic, D Surendra Kumar, SCDCC Bank chairman M N Rajendra Kumar, Bangalore – Agriculture University vice-chancellor Dr K Narayan Gowda, A G Kodgi, Bajagoli zilla panchayat member Mamatha Adikari, Miyar zilla panchayat member Uday Kumar Kotian, Mudaru gram panchayat president Malathi Naik, SKDRDP chief executive officer Dr L Manjunath, Reception committee president Mahaveer Jain, Karkala town councilor Pratima Mohan, SKDRDP project officer Roopa Jain, progressive agriculturist and Krushi Mela life time achiever’s Award recipient Elsy Soans were present on the occasion.