'Culture of Tulu Nadu influenced by agriculture practices'

Traditional games helped in communicating culture of the region: Expert

Culture and traditions of Tulu Nadu were influenced by agriculture practise of the land. The change in agriculture pattern also influenced its culture and tradition, said Thenkanidiyur First Grade College Lecturer Dr Gananath Ekkar.

Delivering a lecture on ‘games of Tulu nadu which is disappearing’ here at ‘Tuluva Aisiri,’ a two-day conference on analysing historical developments of Tulunadu and language, organised jointly by Kadri Manjunatha temple, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and Mangalore University History Lecturers Association-’Maanusha’ here on Sunday, he said our culture, tradition and folkore were closely connected to each other.

Change in pattern of agriculture also influenced the traditional games of Tulu Nadu. There were over 168 traditional games played by our ancestors in Tulu Nadu. There are varieties in each of the games.

Traditional games were not only meant for entertainment. It also helped in enriching the knowledge and instilling values in the lives of an individual. The games also helped in the personality development of an individual, he added.

Traditional Tulu Nadu games helped in communicating the culture of the region. ‘Chennamane,’ a traditional game played during the month of ‘Aati’ also helped to explain the culture, political life, culture of farmers, business class and rulers of the Tulu Nadu. Pad dana provides indepth information on traditional games of the region.

Stating that Kambala is not a game, Dr Ekkar said that it is a tradition. It highlights the emotional bond with the agriculture land owned by the farmers.

“If we come out of the traditional notion of games and ‘kunitha’ (dance forms), then we can preserve it for future generation. There is a need to give modern touch to the traditional games and dance form depending upon the situation,” he added.

Speaking on ‘shift in farming in Tulu Nadu,’ Dr Shivarama Karantha First Grade College, Bellare Professor Dr Narendra Rai Derla said “agriculture land have been razed to the ground for commercial complexes. Agriculture related activities were ‘multi cultured’ where people irrespective of the caste, creed, religion took part in it.

There was a time when Dakshina Kannada district had 250 varieties of paddy. However, now we hardly find them. Paddy fields have disappeared giving way for arecanut, rubber gardens. With the disappearance of the paddy fields, several agricultural related activities have disappeared.”

“People are living in an illusion that one can purchase everything with money. However, if we continue to neglect agriculture activities, then how can we fill our stomach in the future,?” he asked.

Urbanisation, increase in the cost of dairy farming, migration have affected agriculture in the district. Earlier in the day, there was a session on ‘art and culture of Tulu Nadu.’ This included talk on ‘Dance forms on the verge of extinct in Tulu Nadu,’ ‘Tulu theatre,’ ‘Entry of Tulu prasanga to Yakshagana,’ ‘River culture in Tulu Nadu.’

There was a session on ‘Folk culture of Tulu Nadu and beliefs,’ which included talks on ‘worshipping of demi gods in Tulu Nadu,’ ‘Traditional medicinal system in Tulu Nadu’ and so on.