Roshni Nilaya Celebrates Aatid Onji Dina
Mangaluru: The Department of English and the Department of Kannada jointly organised ‘Aatid Onji Dina’ at Roshni Nilaya here on July 25.
Ages ago, Aati was a month that was the toughest among all the others. The main reason for this is the heavy rain that restricts people to come out of their homes. It is a time for farmers to take rest after the sowing season for paddy in the field.
In the present scenario, it is more likely that we tend to lean towards the new culture and tradition while forgetting our roots. So Aatid Onji Dina was held to draw the attention of the younger generation towards the richness of our culture and tradition. There were two competitions, was to exhibit old artefacts, utensils and implements and talk about them. The other was to cook the traditional food eaten in the month of Aati or the monsoon season in Dakshina Kannada.
Dr Malini Mukund, retd. Professor in Sociology was the Chief Guest and she spoke about how we Indians are unique for there is nothing that is similar in terms of culture and tradition, but how despite the cultural diversity we are a nation that can assimilate all and remain in oneness. She spoke about getting back to our roots and traditions and gave us a glimpse into our culture and heritage. This was followed by a competition that judged traditional dishes that are symbolic of A|ati such as Tojunk, Kerengda balaaga, Appala, Uppad pachill, payasam, patradey and much more.. On the spot competitions such as folk song singing, dancing naming traditional items and the best dressed traditional student were held.
Dr Bhatt, the Registrar spoke about how this month for the rural farmer and the agrarian was most laborious and not so festive one. He said we should remember that everything has a certain space in life and we need to know and respect that space. He appreciated the effort to get students curious about culture.
Students who collected articles of old to exhibit them felt it was a rich and fruitful experience. They made conscious inroads into the past, found out where and when and for what reason the articles were used for. This made them appreciate the past and understand how their ancestors lived. They do feel their time is better for it is more easeful. They also felt that the past held more meaning for there was labour in every act, now it is more mechanical. Aatid Onji Dina was spent in a meaningful way.
by Rachitha Poornima Cabral