St. Lawrence EM School and PU College, Moodubelle organize Ethnic-2023

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 16 Dec 2023: St. Lawrence English Medium School and PU College jointly organized Ethnic-2023, a collage of the cultural life the people of Tulunadu comprising of cultural programmes and Exhibition of cultural items on Saturday, 16 December 2023 at 10 am in St. Lawrence PU College auditorium. This is an attempt on the part of Br. Philip Noronha-principal of St. Lawrence English medium School and PU College along with the teachers to inculcate an understanding and respect for the cultural traditions of the Tulunadu.

 

The cultural programmes and the exhibition were inaugurated by Seetaram Bhat, retired History lecturer who served the St. Lawrence PU College for 7 years from 1997 to 2004. He along with Br. Philip Noronha unfurled the areca flowers bunch. Earlier the Maths teacher  Balakrishna Rao introduced Seetaram Bhat.

 

Prior to the inauguration, a documentary was screened for the students highlighting the history and cultural traditions of the Tulunadu covering all aspects right from social structure to religious practices and agricultural activities and various artifacts used by the people. One of the important features of the documentary was the depiction of communal harmony among the different religious communities and caste groups. 

 

Speaking on this occasion, Seetaram Bhat pointed out the rich cultural traditions of the Tulunadu. He stressed on the communal harmony that existed in the Tulunadu since many centuries. He recalled his own experience in his childhood of people belonging to different religious groups helping each other and celebrating their festivals sharing sweets and other good things. He made an appeal to the students not to concentrate too much in making money once they complete education, but to safeguard and promote their health so that they can live a long and meaningful life.

 

 

The students from different classes presented group dances associated with various activities in the villages of the Tulunadu. There were folk songs and folk dances set to the Tulu folksongs. There were also few Konkani songs and dances.

 

One of the attractive part of the Ethnic-2023 is the exhibition of old items which were used in agricultural and domestic activities. They are all arranged on tables and floor right in the centre of the auditorium.

 

The cultural programme was compered by Vion Mendonca and Janessa Mendonca.

 

The exhibition that was inaugurated on Saturday, 16 December will continue on Sunday, 17 December and Monday 18 December.

 

The efforts taken by Br. Philip Noronha, the staff members and the students in collecting and arranging the various artifacts are really praiseworthy. The presentation of the cultural programme by the students was excellent. A visit to the exhibition will enhance the knowledge of  the people regarding the historical and cultural traditions of the Tulunadu.