TSA President Janaki Brahmavar Inaugurates Aati-Koota at Pilikula
Mangaluru: The annual ‘Aati Koota’ was inaugurated at the Guthina Mane, Pilikula Nisargadhama here, on August 9.
President of Tulu Sahitya Academy Janaki Brahmavar inaugurated the Aati Koota by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries.
The executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama Jayaprakash Bhandary said that Aati Koota is a traditional event. “We want to remind the young people today and sensitize them and also remind elders of their olden days. We are celebrating Aati Koota from the last five years. We have organized various programmes such as Vasantotsava and cultural musical activities. There has been a very good response. Chikkamela and Talamaddale is vanishing now, so we need to invite such troupes to our houses or apartments to perform and encourage them. This way we can keep the Chikkamela Yakshagana alive. Now we are promoting events which are related to Pilikula. There are competitions like Chennemane and other traditional games, and the winners will get prizes.”
People from all walks of life gathered at the Guthu Mane to take part in the Aati Koota. There were a number of special Aati delicacies for breakfast and lunch. Women from various organizations prepared special Aati delicacies such as Patrade, garike, Ellunde, Halasina gatti, rice laddu, jackfruit chips, Guriyappa etc. A special Aati lunch was also prepared.
Prof Vivek Rai said that to retain Tulu language and culture we need such programmes. In this modern world, youngsters do not know the meaning of Aati but are well versed in modern gadgets, they are unable to understand the old traditions. It is the duty of the parents to make their children take part in such programmes.
Janaki Brahmavar and others were felicitated by Jayaprakash Bhandary and the Pilikula Nisargadhama Team. Children participated in various competitions and won prizes.
The former executive director of Pilikula Nisargadhama S A Prabhakara Sharma and others were also present. Bhasker Rai Kukkuvalli compered the programme.