A group of women SHGs sing paddadanas to mark novel protest

A group of women SHGs sing paddadanas to mark novel protest

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 3, 2014:  It was a novel  protest  Slogans and speeches for once were absent.  On a stage in front of the DK DC  office gate, a team of women were seen beating drums and reciting ’paddadanas’ a form of Tuluva song , attracting the attention of public to their own share of woes.

 

 

 

Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya which has been raising its voice against Yettinahole project, resorted to the novel way of protesting on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi. A team of 12 artistes drawn from women self-help groups in Bantwal and Mangalore taluks sang paddadanas to mark the protest under the banner “Sude maaruna maarilu” (evil forces that sell the river), on Oct 2.

The protest got off to a good start  with a paddadana on saving environment which was relevant for the mood. The team led by Kutharu Thimmakka sang aloud, while another villager who was sitting by their side was weaving a traditional mat.

Six earthen pots filled with water from river Nethravathi and a few words inscribed on it were placed in front of the stage. It read: “Mother Nethravathi is  like a God. Hurting Nethravathi is like insulting the God. Are you going to save Nethravathi or destroy her?”

Sahyadri Samrakshana Sanchaya Convener Dinesh Holla who has been leading the protests against Yettinahole project, said that the pots displayed  will be handed over to the MLAs and ministers from Dakshina Kannada district. The words written on the pots ask  the elected representatives to decide whether they wish to harm or protect Netravati.

The protesters also demanded  the resignation of the elected representatives who have failed to take up the cause of river Nethravathi.  “We have been doing our best to stop the project. The new concept of protest through paddadanas has been initiated as villagers are closely related to environment. All the artistes who are participating in the protest are well aware of the cause and we hope that they pass on the information to their fellow villagers,” he said.  The true spirit of concern is palpable among the people.