Nagara Panchami is a blessing, joy and hope to you

The worship of the God Nag is not merely a popular celebration but a belief that brings blessing, joy and hope to one’s life. In Hindu calendar, the most auspicious day that all our Hindu brethren celebrate falls on the fifth day of the moonlit fortnight in the month of Shravan. It is true to the ‘Degree’ of one of the religious congregations called the Society of Jesus which says, “Faith that does justice.” If you have a deep faith in God Nag then it does justice by bringing a great blessing and fortune in your life.

      As the Hindu mythology goes the Chief God, Sheshnag of Lord Vishnu who is believed to have taken the form of Snake comes in everyone’s life to assure mercy and protection. Therefore if anyone has ‘Naga Sarppa’ he should remain in his house clean. The decease comes in the shape of snake on the person’s body. When the decease or the curse leaves the person he should go to Subramaniya temple and offer kanika so that the person will have fortune in his life.

        The ancient worship of Nag carried forth generation after generation all over India. It unites every Indian in the name of Snake worship and share the good vibration with one another. Therefore the event is commemorated every year meaningfully by bathing the statue of Snake God with milk and honey. And people perform Naga Dharshana in front of the God of Nag. On this day people along with their family members and relatives, near and dear ones join together and have vegetarian meal. The joy of coming together was valued much in this celebration. 

National Community Radio Award brings honor to the city of Mangalore

        Radio Sarang program on Tulu culture enhances the life of the people of Mangalore. When the media such as T.V., internet and mobile began to give a different orientation among young people, it is not that easy to divert their attention. In spite of knowing the fact Radio Sarang explores a new possibility to help the young people realize the uniqueness of their culture. Radio Sarang 107.8 FM broadcasts everyday various Tulu language programs. Of all ‘Dudinalike’ has grabbed the attention of everyone including the Government of India.

      Dudi Nalike is a dance and music form which used to unite the people especially of Puttur, Sullia and Belthangadi in celebration. At the time of wedding or any other celebration the men and women folk of Mugera community form groups and dance. What surprised Mr. Thimappa, the producer of Tulu language program is that the original form of dance and music with Dudinalike is slowly dying. But what we know from the fact is that there were occasions when the people of Tulunadu used ‘Dudi’ or the drum made up of Jack wood tree and monkey skin on both the sides for playing music. He had observed that the impact of modern technology has overshadowed the original music that was created out of Dudi Nalike. When the elders of the community were interviewed they said that they only remind the younger generation of the rich culture.

       The older generation is at the verge of crossing their last phase of life. They only can speak of what happened but they cannot show how it happened? Radio Sarang takes interest in reviving those cultures which are dying so that the younger generation realizes the significance of them and preserve them.  To support and encourage this major movement of Radio Sarang the Government of India has recognized its service and awarded with the ‘Prestigious National Community Radio Award 2014’

Industries that placed Mangalore in the international trade map

           Tulunadu has left a legacy behind what is called Mangalore today. The beautiful landscape is the result of the culmination of many phases of Tulunadu. The religious spirit, cultural pride, business and manufacturing skill have together discovered Mangalore as a business and industrial place of Karnataka. The uniqueness of coastal Karnataka stands out in the history of the region for its laborious spirit and creative approach to life. The various industries that were developed by the people over the years made Mangalore an important place. Therefore the aim of our study is to highlight some of the major industries of Mangalore in perspective of its prosperity and change over the decades.

      Cashew nut: The west cost of India is known for its cashew nut crops. Though the Portuguese showed the way to cashew industry yet the local people were not ready to risk cashew cultivation. It was Messrs Peirce Leslie Ltd who had ventured cashew industry in 1925. Since it was flourishing the post World War I most people were convinced to start factories. Jeppoo and Kulshekar were the two places known for their cashew production. Now the sizable number of cashew industries in Mangalore is able to export to foreign countries in large quantities. The cashew nut oil which is used for industrial purpose especially in plastic industry is bought by countries like U.K. and Jepan.

         Areca nut: Areca nut cultivation in South Kanara is an age old concept. It has created a good opportunities for people in terms of occupation. Since it is tropical crop of Karnataka it is cultivated by majority of people especially in Coondapoor, Karkal and of course in Mangalore. The state itself has allotted around 2.15 lakh hectares only for betel nut cultivation. Therefore it is a major source of income for the people of Tulunadu. In South Kanara, the Putur taluka takes the place of growing in a large scale.

         Tile: Tile industry is well known in Mangalore because the business thrived in its native place itself. After the arrival of Portuguese they introduced tiles in this region. A better trade and demand took the industry to a height where it supplied even to the farthest places.  Besel Missionaries undertook the industry in order to create employment for the local people. In1867, some Catholics by name Alex Pai and Peter Lobo started tile factories which also invited other business men to explore.  As a result a number of industries like ‘The Mangalore Tile Company’, ‘Highland Factory’, ‘The Western India Tile manufacturers’ Association’, ‘Mangalore Roofing Tiles’, etc. emerged later. Tile industry has its past which has left a mark in the history of Mangalore.

           Stone Cutting: Mangalore is known for its seven hills because it stands on them.  People quarried stones including granite stones which are used by the people of Mangalore for building houses. Besides that the religious worship places like churches, temple and mosques were built by the native stones. By the emergence of stone-quarrying it gave infinite opportunities for builders like Cyprian D’Souza and Paul F. Alvares who were the big contractors of the times.

         The Coffee: The coffee cultivation and coffee curing was supported by the British. It is said that in seventeenth century someone called Baba Budan who believed to have brought seed from Mecca at his arrival and planted in garden near Chikmagalur. In the year 1837, Basel mission took up the industry but did not succeed. On the other people especially who were working for Europeans on their business learnt the art of coffee plantation. As a result some Catholics started coffee estates with the help of Europeans.  Estates such as Balahole, Kattalkhan and other estates were started in Chikmagalur in 1870. On the other hand in coffee cultivation, heavy rain fall does not allow coffee to sustain. Therefore both the Europeans as well the local people in Mysore did not succeed in coffee cultivation whereas the industry encouraged capitalists and investors to flourish in the land of Tulunadu.

         Tea, handloom, paper and wood mills, etc. were few other industries that were successfully growing in the region. Therefore South Kanara always thrived on businesses and industries. The people of South Kanara made fortunes out of most of the business. The impact of industries on Mangalore is tremendous because it is able to transform Mangalore as a great educational hub and fill with number of hospitals and media centers as well. 

Courtesy: The Christian Impact of South Kanara by Kranti Farias

They have made all the difference

      The casts in Tulunadu have a role to play.  Each cast people have made a significant contribution in the making of a prosperous Tulunadu. Philosophers would say that a country has a hierarchy like Priests, Kings, Soldiers, Peasants and people. When there is hierarchy everyone has a responsibility to fulfill. As everybody has to work for the development of their region and country various community people had emerged at different times. In view of addressing each cast and highlighting its contribution to the society we shall study the different cast system.

        There are Brahmins, Bunts, Billawas, Gowdas, Potters, Mogaveeras and Schedule casts. The Brahmins are the people who take care of temples and help out in the spiritual growth of people. They are the ones who translated Sanskrit texts, manuscripts and other old documents. As a result they learnt all mantras and dedicated themselves for serving the spiritual wellbeing of the people. In the Brahmanincal society some intellectuals who availed themselves in the promotion of Tulu culture, language and literature. The People belonging to Bunts community emerged from South West of India which includes Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod of Kerala. They are considered to be educationists, soldiers or warriors, agriculturists, industrialist who left behind an unforgettable past. Besides agriculturists farming the lands there were also people who took up jobs like running industries, institutions and restaurants. Then there is ‘Billawa’ community which contributed its men for serving the welfare of the society as soldiers. This community emerged from Kasaragod, a part of Kerala. They were recognized as soldier at the time of the local rulers. They are also known as agriculturists who prospered in the farming land. These Billawas are also known for tapping the natural drink from coconut, palm and date trees.

       There are communities like Gowdas, Mahars, Nalke, Moilley and other Schedule cast people took care of small businesses. Their involvement in contributing to the growth of the region is tremendous. Jobs like lighting lamps, drum beaters, washing cloths, running saloon, etc. helped them to be at the service of people. 

"The Mangalore tiles" has a significant past

        The hard work and creative bent of mind of our ancestors has left a mark in the history of South Kanara. The agrarian society of 19^th century walked an extra mile and witnessed the changes of the time. The People of Tulunadu in the country side were making handicrafts which supported their livelihood. The need for cottage industries such as goldsmith, blacksmith, carpentry, pottery making and stone cutting stones always helped them to depend on hard work and self-reliance. This great virtue of the people took them ahead in their life. The pottery makers kept flourishing in their pace.          Over the years men from Dakshina Kannada learnt the art of tiles making and started specializing in it.

The arrival of Basel Mission was a blessing to the people of South Kanara. By reading the science of the time they established some tiles manufacturing factories.  The art of tiles making could already predict its future. Peter Wilson Prabhakar talks about tiles in his articles on ‘Tile Industry.’ He said, “Tile is thin flat slab, usually of burnt clay, glazed or unglazed, used either structurally or decoratively in building. The usage of the word “tile” varies widely in connection with roofing.”

          ‘Nada Hanchu’ (made in traditional wheel and frames) is a sort of tile that is used for roofing. This tile is what called ‘The Mangalore Tiles.’ Since the Basel Mission explored and succeeded in manufacturing tiles using new model the credit goes to them. They also established tile’s factory in Kudroli and Malpe which is the Northern part of South Kanara as a branch of Jeppu Tile Factory. To our great surprise, the stunning stats that the book ‘Poli’ gives as the annual tile production rose up to 60 crores. This is to say that it provided employment for nearly 25,000 people. These interesting stats helps to perceive the way the tile industry grew in South Kanara of Tulunadu. By making revolution in making variety of tiles Mangalore has earned the name, “Mangalore Tiles.”

Can traditional food become a delicacy among all other Mangalore cuisines?

         Generally, people are very sensitive to food items. Any delicious food can be reduced to poor taste if they are not prepared in the way they are supposed. It can make people passionate because they are connected to places, people and personal likings. What are known as the Mangalore cuisines of today were the simple and traditional food of our ancestors. One of the many dishes is what called ‘Pathrade.’ It is liked most by the people of Coastal Karnataka. The delicious food item can be described as the monsoon special of Tulunadu.

        ‘Can traditional food become a delicacy among all other Mangalore cuisines?’ Can be answered well by carefully understanding how ‘Pathrade’ is prepared.

       The staple food of Tulunadu is rice because they are cultivated easily and abundantly. On the other hand when the rice is made flour and cooked it is always a new dish. Above all the Tuluvas created a special taste or attraction for ‘Pathrade’ by cooking it in a particular way. When there are multiple ways of cooking rice flour the traditional people of Tuludesa discovered a new taste by adding Pathradyache Kolay or Colocasia leaves in the rice flour. Normally, the Colocasia plants or leaves are available only at the time of monsoon. Pathrade becomes a rare delicacy of Mangalore because it is cooked mostly during monsoon. People across the regions at times crave for such preparation of Mangalore because they have cultivated an independent taste for it.

          ‘Pathrade’ is prepared by steaming the rice flour in teak leaves. At times the teak leaves are replaced by different medicinal leaves so that it adds taste as well as medicinal effect to our health.

Multitudes thronged to make Karavali Utsav a significant move

          The great tradition of Tulunadu is indeed glorified by programs like Karavali Utsav.  It is a unique move of the District administration of Mangalore. It is only two years old but it has created history by brining multitudes of people who thronged to witness the 45 days of “Mega Utsav.” The artistic and traditional entrance of the Utsav-2014 itself is a symbolic invitation to all other ethnic groups to come and display their creativity. The bubbling joy of children, the limitless expression of freedom of youngsters, contented feelings of the elders spread the fragrance of festive mood everywhere. Anyone will agree with me that the long stretch of grand Utsav is one of the spectacular events of Tulunadu that is ever presented by the District Administration of Mangalore.

           The Karavali Utsav was filled with the countless stalls of various kinds, antiques of Tuluvadesa, entertainment and amusement parks consisting of Dragon train, Zigzag, Tora Tora, Shops for dress and electronics gadgets and so on.  Cultural programs staged at entrance everyday were not only a special attraction but also a great visual treat for the eyes of the visitors. By welcoming people from other parts of India to display and to sell their art and cultural stuff, the administration of Mangalore created opportunities for the people of Coastal region to explore something beyond Karnataka.

By holding this sort of festivals, it has instilled in the hearts of people of Tulunadu the unity, creativity, joyous celebration. The popular event has made huge difference among the government officials as well as people of Mangalore. 

          The notable moment of the entire 2014-Karavali Utsav is that it is inaugurated and witnessed by great personalities like B Ramanath Rai, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology and District-in-charge of Dakshina Kananada, Rev Fr Prashanth Madtha, Scholar and former Principal of St Aloysius College, MLAs J R Lobo, Mohiudeen Bava, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, the President of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishad,  the Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim.