Udupi: ‘Aatid Onji Dina’ was organised by the Mahila Morcha of Bharatiya Janata Party Udupi district at the BJP district office Kadiyali here, on Saturday, July 25.
The programme began with an invocation. Reshma Uday Shetty welcomed the gathering. Thingale Vikramarjuna Hegde, president of district BJP, inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp, which was followed by the folk game of Tulunadu, ‘Channe Mane’.
In his message, Thingale Vikaramarujana Hegde said that celebrations and rituals in the ‘Ashada’ have been practiced since ages by the people to adjust themselves to the changing environment. In earlier days, people would adjust to the necessities and the changes that were taking place in the season, he said.
Farming is the main activity of the Tulunadu region. A farmer toils hard throughout the year but takes a break during the month of Aati. Unable to do much due to the rains, the farmer involves himself in cultural activities such as dance, music and traditional games for entertainment. Hence, Aati is a culturally significant month.
He said, “Our ancestors used to practice various traditions. However, these traditions have a scientific rationale. Mouth watering delicacies are prepared during Aati which help to heal the body, provide nutrition and increase immunity level. The people of Tulu Nadu have great belief in god. The ‘Aati Kalanja’ dance is performed to repel evil.”
There is a need to preserve our culture and create awareness about it. Programmes like ‘Aatidonji Dina’ keep people in touch with their tradition, he added.
The main highlight of the event was the traditional Aati food fiesta organised by the women, the food being prepared by the residents themselves. Each woman worker took up the responsibility of preparing an item.
As many as 37 traditional food items such as ‘Thimare Chatni’, ‘Pejakaayi Gojju’, ‘Kudutha Chatni’, ‘Challangayi Chatni’, ‘Poombe Chatni’, ‘Kukkuda Chatni’, ‘Punarkodi Chatni’, ‘Tojank’, ‘Poombe Palya’, ‘Kesu Theetla’, ‘Pathrode Gatti’, ‘Arevuda Chatni’, ‘Patrode’, ‘Kanile Gasi’, ‘Mallige Moode’, ‘Chilimbi’, ‘Gujjeda Palya’, ‘Thojank Ambode’, ‘Urpel Nuppu’, ‘Kanchala Ambade Gase’, ‘Menthe Payasa’, ‘Arepuda Pundi’ and others were served on the occasion.
Savitha Shivanad Kotian ZP President, Sunita Naik TP President, BJP leaders Lalaji R Mendon, Uday Kumar Shetty, Shymala Kundar, Githanjali Suvarna, Rashmitha Balakrishna and others were present.