It was indeed a special occasion for all those who took part in the “Aashadadalli ondu dina” or “Aatidonji koota” (a day in the month of Aati or Aashada) organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and Mangalore taluk Mahila Mandalagala Okkuta. To highlight the importance of Aati month (falls in the month of July), a unique programme “Aatidonji koota” was held here on Saturday.
The programme was inaugurated in a traditional manner by opening the ‘Pingara’ by Zilla Panchayat President Sushma Janardhan.
Speaking on the occasion, she said: “Aati is a special month for us. It is during this month that we all consume all the natural products.”
In the olden days, Aati was considered as ‘difficult days’ owing to the heavy rainfall and less work. As a result, the men associated all the rituals attached to Aati,” she recalled.
“There is a need to preserve the customs and traditions that are being practiced by our forefathers during ‘aati’ month and pass it on to the younger generation. Today’s children are introduced to fast food culture instead of tradition food,” she lamented.
Speaking on “Role of women in Aati month,” writer Athradi Amritha Deekaiah said Tulunadu was basically an agricultural land. “As soon as we started moving away from our main occupation, the rich traditions and culture of the land also started disappearing.”
She said girls have respect in matriarchal society. No customs are complete without her participation.
The important aspect of ‘Aati amavasye’ during aati month is drinking of a concoction made from the bark of ‘Palasha’ tree which is believed to have medicinal values. It also enhances the immunity of the body if it is consumed in this month.
MLA Shakunthala Shetty, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President M K Seetharam Kulal, Mangalore taluk Mahila Mandalagala Okkuta President Vijayalakshmi Shetty, Registrar S H Shivarudrappa were present.
The mouth watering delicious delicacies of Aati month with a range of exquisite dishes ranging from ‘Thimare chutney’ to the ‘Moode’ besides by ‘Pathrode’ ‘Huruli chutney,’ ‘payasam’ were served to the participants to remind the spirit of aati month.