Aatidonji Dina held in honor of Aati traditions in city

Aatidonji Dina held in honor of Aati traditions in city

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 23, 2012: Dr. K. Abhay Kumar, head of the department of Kannada at Mangalore University, inaugurated Aatidonji Dina at Government Pre University College in Balmatta on July 22, Sunday. He inaugurated the event by offering rice and coconut to Aati Kalanja.  

Aatidonji Dina was jointly organized by Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, Mangalore Taluk Chutuku Sahitya Parishad, Guest Lecturers Association of Government First Grade College in Balmatta, and Government Girls High School.

Speaking about the significance of Aati, he said that the bond among agriculture, culture, and nature is celebrated in the month of Aati. Since it rains heavily in the month of Aati, the farmers have nothing much to do, owing to which they dance, sing, and play traditional games. Delicious food is cooked during aati to provide required nutrition and raise immunity level within the body. Moreover, the people of Tulu Nadu believe that Aati Kalanja is performed to repel evil, he added. 

Lamenting that modernization is destroying the rich culture of Tulunadu, he urged people to preserve and protect their culture and raise awareness about it. Aatidonji Dina is one way to keep in touch with one’s traditions, he added. 

Speaking about the variety of food in India, he said that foreigners love Indian culture and food and that Indians can promote tourism only by promoting their culture. 

Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of the DK District Kannada Sahitya Parishad, honored Karingana Janardhan Master for his contributions to literature and Raja for his contributions to folk art. 

Prof. Krishnamurthy, president of Mangalore Taluk Chutuku Sahitya Parishad, presided.

Traditional dances were performed on this occasion.