Traditional Sports ‘Kesardonji Dina’ Enthralls Alevoor villagers
Pics by Ankith Shetty
Udupi: The annual ‘Kesardonji Dina’ conducted by Alevoor Ganeshotsava Samiti in association with sports and youth services department Udupi Zilla Panchayat received an enthusiastic participation of the local people on Sunday, July 8 at the Alveoor V4 fields.
A number of people including women and children actively participated in various traditional games in the slushy fields at Alevoor. The competitions showcased rural sports of the region in its glory and splendour.
Competitions such as running race, running backward, tug-of-war, volleyball, tug of war, running race and running backward, Human Kambala, Mooru Kalin Oota, Lagori for women, Pot breaking, Girgit Ota, Goni Chila Oota were held. The games enthralled the villagers and explored the real spirit of the rural life.
Competitions were held separately for men, women, girls and boys. The competition was inaugurated by Dinakar Babu president Udupi Zilla Panchayat.
It was a visual treat to view the contestants trying their best to reach the victory point in the running race competition. Villagers were seen trying to cheer their teams. Children and youth were seen enjoying in the field.
Besides people from nearby villages, some people had come from cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai just to participate in the event.
Speaking to Mangalorean.com Rajesh Shetty, president of Sarvajanika Ganeshotshav Samiti, said that the Samiti has been organizing ‘Kesard Onji Dina’ from the past 13 years and the participants have been increasing over the years. “The younger generation, which is too much into the modern world, does not know about the rains, wet fields and wet mud. In order to bring awareness and encourage participation of the younger generations in our traditional rural sports, games and agricultural activities, we conduct Kesard Onji Dina,” he added.
Assistant Director Youth and Sports Dr Roshan Kumar Shetty, Alevoor Panchayat president Srikanth and others were present.
The participants were treated to a rural meal of ganji, pickles, chutney, and huruli saaru. After having exhausted all their energy in the field, people enjoyed the simple but delicious meal.
