‘Aati’ comes alive in Pilikula

DHNS

Mangalore, 25 July 2010: It was indeed a special occasion for all those who took part in the “Aashadadalli ondu dina” or “Aatid Onji Dina” (a day in the month of Aati or Aashada) organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, Tulu Study Centre of Dravida University, Kannada and Culture department and Pilikula Nisargadhama and Mangalore taluk Mahila Mandalagala Okkuta. 

 

 
To highlight the importance of Aati month (falls in the month of July), a unique programme “Aatid Onji Dina” was held at Guthu Mane at Pilikula on Saturday.  Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Bank Non-Executive Chairman Ananthakrishna said “heavy rains lash during Aati month. Hence the people involve themselves in indoor games like chenne mane. Moreover, during the aati month, farmers do not have much work after retransplantation of seedlings.”

 

“The sunshine is also harsh during Aati. The people of the region normally store blonde cucumber during monsoon,” he added. L itterateur Prof Amrutha Someshwar, Tulu Study Centre of Dravida University Head Dr B S Shivkumar, Karnataka Tulu Sahithya Academy Registrar B Chandrahas Rai, Pilikula Nisargadhama Executive Director J R Lobo and others were present.

 

There was Chennamane playing competition on the occasion. A discussion on ‘Importance and the popularity of Chennamane games in Tulu culture’ and ‘Chennamane in Tulu folk’ was held on the occasion.

 

Fun and frolic

The programme was held in a grand scale at the Guthu Mane in Pilikula. With the ‘paddana’ on the background, an exhibition displaying antique commodities linked to
Tuluva culture and lifestyle took visitors to a different age.

 

The products prepared at the Artisans village of Pilikula was also displayed on the occasion.  The stage programme formally began with the dignitaries on the dais playing ‘Chennamane’ game.

 

The delicacies

The mouth watering delicious delicacies of ‘Aati’ month with a range of exquisite dishes ranging from ‘Thimare chutney’ to the ‘Moode’ besides  ‘Pathrode’ ‘Huruli chutney,’ ‘Kanile padengi kajipu,’ ‘Pelakaida gatti,’  ‘Manjal ireda gatti,’ ‘Mentheda ganji,’ ‘Nurgesoppuda ambade,’ ‘Kudutha saar,’ ‘Kudutha chutney’ and others were served to the participants to remind the spirit of aati month.

 

The food was prepared by the Mangalore Taluk Mahila Mandala Okkuta.  An exhibition on the medicinal plants were also held on the occasion.