No culture can dominate the culture of Tulunadu

        The state of Karnataka is blessed by the unique culture called ‘Tulu’. The people of Tulunadu are so attached to their culture because it was like mother who initiated them to relate with other cultures. As a result they are able to vibrate their culture with other culture. Though the Tuluvas are aware of other cultures yet they find a strong bonding towards Tulu culture; and this passion drives them to be loyal to their culture. The influence of western culture is dominant but it cannot separate the people from their local culture. The external expression of Tulu culture stands out very prominently. Kambla, pili vesha, cock fight and festivals like Shivarathri, Gheddasa, Bisu parba, Aatikalenja, Atiammavasi, kangilu, etc. are witnessed by everyone in Manglaore. These are so indigenous in nature that they are preserved by the people who feel proud of it.
                                                         

     ‘Tulu Chavadi’ is one of the programs of Radio Sarang which broadcasts every Saturday. This reminds people of their culture and their significance. This is one of the popular radio programs in Mangalore produced by Mr.Thimmappa who comes out with new topics for every Saturday. For instance, Jack fruit may not be a topic of people’s interest but yet there is a lot of interesting angle which are looked at by the radio artist. The program takes the people of this culture and others to see the traditional aspect of Tulu culture.   Tulu Chavadi also address interesting topics such as festivals and celebrations in order to invite more people to discuss and interact to see the essence of Tulu culture.

     

Banks that made remark in the nation building

       Tulunadu has made a significant contribution in nation building. Mangalore has grown not only into the field of education, business and industries but also banking system. Great men like Mulki Sundaram Shetty, Shri. Attavar Balakrishna Shetty and T. M. A. Pai were couple of giants among Tuluvas who had a vision for the society they lived in. History is not planned and created but rather it is a simple idea put in action when our society is in need. 
                                                   

                                         
    Today what we consider Padma Bhushan as a great honor for K V Kamath is because of that simple idea which was born out of a need. And this will be the history or ‘His-story’ of tomorrow. Likewise Dakshina Kannada was blessed with variety of people with different caliber. Mangalore holds a prominent place in the Indian map or history because of its contribution to the larger society. In making what is Mangalore today Tulunadu played a vital role by giving birth to some visionary leaders. 
       One of the fine works that is witnessed by all is the banking service. Vijya Bank was that which was established in the year 1931 by Shri. BalaKrishna Shetty had a noble cause of building banking habits and entrepreneurial life-style among the farmers. This noble cause led to making ‘Vijaya Bank’ a nationalized. This was one of the biggest contributions one can ever make to the society. Another important bank that made an unforgettable contribution to nation building is 'Syndicate Bank' which was nationalized in 1969. The great cause for which it was created is to assist financially to local weavers. Thus Tulunadu has played a role in making Mangalore a unique place and also contributing to India in a bigger level.

        

“Guthu Mane” has a message to tell us

                                                      

        It was in September, 2013 when I visited Guthu Mane of Pilikula’ along with my friends. There is green everywhere. The entire surrounding made us feel a sense of oneness and happiness. Our students went to every corner of the house and around the house to relish the grandeur of the house. The elegant ambiance of the place stole our heart. The house has beauty and space for people who have passion for a harmonious living.

        Can we believe that Guthu Mane has a message to tell us? There is a community called Bunts who are from Coastal Karnataka, lived a life with a sense of pride. This feeling of pride came from the joy of living together and sharing life with one another. They celebrated life together and sent out the message of unity and peace. 
      Bunts are known for their gentry and nobility. They always enjoyed the life of superiority as they recognize themselves as or take sideline with Kshatriyas, one of the three classes of Vedic society. The Vedic scriptures say that the Kshatriyas are the military or ruling class people. Everyone considered them as those who have power to rule and protect others.  This 'warrior' nature of the Bunts in Tulunadu enabled them to live a life that is different from others. Their lifestyle and the philosophy can be comprehended by seeing their house style in places like Kodialbail, Kankanadi, Khuriya, Badla, etc. Masadika Bunts, Nad and Parivara Bunts are the people who are named in the order of their population, place and the language dialects.

          In the contemporary life of the Bunts, it is something sad that they abandon the wonderful life and choose a life that is divided or scattered and a life that has more jealous and hatred. The Guthu Mane gives a message that not to abandon the life that has more value, peace and harmony. All the Bunts' Guthu Mane are made museum today where people cannot live.
                                                        

Kudla Resturant, a place that gives the flavor of Tulunadu Mangalore

     What could be the reason that the People of Mangalore feel attached to the name ‘Kudla?’ Has it got any magnetic effect? Some of these questions will keep alarming in our ears. Though it is a Tulu word for Kodialbail yet it gives an identity for the people of Mangalore. The history of Tulunadu is reminded through various ways. Kudla Restaurant is one of the best ways that draws the attention of not only the people of Mangalore but also others from various parts of the country and world. It is well known and popular for the traditional cuisines filled with sea foods. As it is a coastal district of Karnataka the sea food is quite rich enough to pull the heart of everyone.

       Though there are North Indian, Panjabi, Hydrabad Bryani and Chinese special are available yet eating Kudla special is something unique feeling for people. Kudla special brings people a variety of sea food preparation such us fish, crab, prawns which are rare in other parts of Karnataka. Today most people avoid other meat items and prefer this sort of food because it has a lot of protean and gives a great satisfaction. Kudla Restaurant of Mangalore is a place of ‘Sangama’ because it unites people from all walks of life. The specialty of it is that it welcomes family people who are united by their emotions. Kudla Restaurants create this type of atmosphere. That is why all people love to go there.

      The memory of Mangalore remains unforgettable for those who visit it because the taste of Kudla special remains forever in their tongue.  

Sculptures that speak the nature of religiosity and love

     One will be simply wonderstruck to hear that Tulunadu is a place that witnessed over 5000 temples and shrines.  Dakshina Kannada is a place more loved and developed by its people. Their religiosity and love for own land and nature have nurtured the district which has thrived in many areas such as education, business, industries and agriculture and farming, etc. Therefore what is Mangalore today is because of the hard work and creativity.Their contribution to literature, religion and culture is tremendous. The district has given great leaders and artists to the world. Having this as background one will be able to understand the wonders that the artist have done in the area of art and sculpture.

         Those who are ignorant and have no broader outlook about the Hindu Deities will not be able to perceive the meaning of the different forms of God. Yet most of the people including foreigners is able to appreciate the sculptures.  In Indian mythology there is a profound meaning for all the forms of God. The various forms of God arewell depicted through creative ways by the artists. Regarding the artists, though there is no record of all those who contributed to art and sculpture yet it is important to have some knowledge of the sculpture. The work of sculpture reminds us of the “DhyanaSlokas.”  The Slokas which are ancient in nature has reference in ShilpaSastras and Puranas. The Sculptors have expressed their art and devotion to God through their work which were made visible through metals, stone, wood or stucco. The Kadri Sri Manjunatheswara temple, one of the oldest temples is known for the bronze statues of different sizes.

Courtesy: TRADITIONAL SCULPTURE By M. Mukunda Prabhu

Culture finds equation between Tulu and Malayalam

       Culture breaks boundaries and fences to make itself felt among people. Tulu culture is so ancient in nature that it has overcome all the geographical and political restrictions because though Tulu and Malayalam lands are politically separate yet culturally they cannot be set apart. External factors may be obvious but there is something beyond one must see about the similarities between these two cultures. Both are consumers especially they are lovers of coconut oil. They share a common ground in worshiping Daiva or spirits. Regarding the authorities of the families Tulu and Malayalam have adopted the ALIYA SANTHANA rule. In other words the son-in-law of the house becomes the person who has an authority in a family.

      The Spirit worship or Daivaradhane can be thrown more light because it is an important aspect in the lives of the two cultures wherein the 'search for truth is the object of Dharma.' Vishnumurthi which is ‘sun’ in boothakola, Paksasa, Padaveeran, Chooliyaar, Bhahavathi, Moovaalankuyi Chamundi are some of the Daivas that are fondly worshiped by the people. The forgotten names of Tulunadu always create nostalgic memories. The Southern West Coast was once upon a time known as ‘The Malabar Coast.’  

    A number of ancient mosques that are built around the West Coast have become a unquestionable proof of the history of the area that unites the people of Mangalore and Tulunadu. Malayalam names like Ballal Krishnan Nayar leaves a hint that ‘Ballal’ is Tulu in origin whereas ‘Nayar’ is Malayalam in origin. Malayalam and Tulu language has a lot of common features because they are ‘Dravidian Language’ by root. The poems and literature in both the languages are few other means of knowing the similarities.

Digital world cannot dominate Dramas anymore in Mangalore

                                                           

           When our global village is moving towards digital world, only some people are able to keep up the traditional value system in the forms of folk art. A brief sketch about the drams in Tulunadu can give us the current status of the traditional media. In 1892 Shri Narayana Bhatta along with his friends started two Marathi Dramas called Dattajanma and Santha thukarama in front of Shri Dattathreya Temple in Mangalore. Between 1900 to 1910 in North part of Dakshina Kannada a group of ten or twelve from Basruru or Barkur, wearing Petari (a cap made out Aracanut ) went around putting up Dramas.

       According to the written sources, around 1902, Appu Indra started Appu Indra the first Drama Company. Later, Karnataka Mirtra Mandali for the first time went outside the district to present ‘Dramas.’ Bala sangeetha Drama Mandali was started in 1905and it lasted till 1912. In karkalla Lokapriya Mitra Mandali was started in 1907 and it lasted till 1910. In Mulki there were Drama shows in the house of a rich man called Narayana Kamath and later it was shifted to Manorama hall built by him thereafter.

          Later Shabu Saheb gave a moral strength to Drama shows. He had started Alexandra thiyetrikals Company in 1910.He started Bharatha Sangeetha Drama Mandali. This Drama company made an impact on the audience through its performance through creativity such as songs.There was a discipline in the actors like physical exercise early morning, Bath, Ganji food, Milk and Curd in the Afternoon etc. All the actors wore khadi dress. Between 1921 to 1930: Shivarama Karanth along with his friends played Nisha mahime, which was translation of Ekachpyala in Marathi. It focused on the bad effects of Alchohlism.

In 1929 Shri Ramananda Churya started ‘Churya and Parti Comedy Drama Company. It started ‘Karnataka Lalithakalaa madhuvana Organisation’ in Bangalore and played Dramas in Kerala, Mumbai etc. 1930-1939: Shri Manjunatha Shalivahana started shivakalaa Nataka Sabhaa in 1930. It brought trained many youth. 

       In 1933, Shri Krishna Maruthi Drama Sabhaa was started by Shri Puttu Tanthri in Udupi. 1950-1970: During this Decade Yakshagana and Dramas were merged and played. In the past in Dakshina Kannada Dramas played in Kannada and Tulu. This also gave rise to other language drams. At present we can find Christian Konkani and Hindu Konkani Dramas.

      Om Shakthi Drama Sabha Mangalore plays Tulu Dramas. Dramas have played a major role in conscientising people on Social Issues. Therefore Mangalore has grown so much and by maintaining this spirit it gets nurtured by itself.