<p>Coastal district has many families, which have left their mark in their own ways. Here is Mulky Kolnadu Pademane, which will be remembered in the region, for the initiative of the members of forming an Association to celebrate their togetherness. Bhakti V Hegde writes about the Association, which turned 50 years old.<br /><br />India, the world’s cultural treasure house, has shown to the world through its joint family system as to how family bonds are an integral part of Indian society. Unfortunately, owning to modernisation and the inclination of Indians to ape the West has left them drifting away from ‘joint families’. With this, more and more nuclear families are being seen.<br /><br />In an attempt to keep the family bonds tied tightly, 50 years ago the children of three sisters decided to immortalize the love and affection their families shared. They formed Mulky Kolnadu Pademane Association in Dakshina Kannada district. As the family grew, the members undoubtedly moved away in search of greener pastures, but 50 years down the line, the kin of the founder still have a reason to come back to each other to celebrate their oneness.<br /><br />The family members today say that the family association is the universal thread of connection that defies the dangers of growing distance.<br /><br />The family named is Mulky Kolnadu Pademane and the Association is also named so. The Association was founded in 1962-63 by the children of Late Giriyamma Shedthi, Hariyamma Shedthi and Padmavathi Shedthi, daughters of the Late Thangi Shedthi and Late Shanker Shetty. The ancestral home is located in Mulky and today the Association has over 700 members, with total of 600 living members.<br /><br />The Association members meet every first week of May (Saturday and Sunday). It is in the month of May that family members converge at the ancestral home from different parts of the world to experience what is called ‘perfect happiness’ of togetherness. <br /><br />“Shattering all myths of generation gap, the family spreads out its roots like a grand old banyan tree waiting to overwhelm youth with its reach. Young, the elderly, the adolescent and the new born are all connected to this whole feeling called one family. Generations have come and gone with immaculate drive, each time the baton is passed including spouses, who become equally integral part of this institution, adding to its embracing canvas,” says Usha Hegde, one of the family members living in Bangalore. During the meeting days, the members take part in drama, dance, music, games, laughter and various other fun filled activities. The participation in the activities transcends the barrier of age. That is why a 70-year old gives a teenager a serious run for energy and enthusiasm during the two days of fun filled family get-together. The family takes part in all religious rituals to be held to the Daivas of the family during their visit to ancestral home. Apart from this, the family also publishes a family contact book, just to ensure that the members of the family are just a phone call away.<br /><br />Golden Jubilee<br /><br />The Association is celebrating its Golden Jubilee from May 4 to 6. The 50th anniversary meeting will be of three days and on day one will witness the family coming together to seek blessings from the gods and ancestors. Several religious programmes will be held on the first day to invoke the god almighty. With various activities packed from 50th year, the family members will part only to meet next year, without fail.</p>
<p>Coastal district has many families, which have left their mark in their own ways. Here is Mulky Kolnadu Pademane, which will be remembered in the region, for the initiative of the members of forming an Association to celebrate their togetherness. Bhakti V Hegde writes about the Association, which turned 50 years old.<br /><br />India, the world’s cultural treasure house, has shown to the world through its joint family system as to how family bonds are an integral part of Indian society. Unfortunately, owning to modernisation and the inclination of Indians to ape the West has left them drifting away from ‘joint families’. With this, more and more nuclear families are being seen.<br /><br />In an attempt to keep the family bonds tied tightly, 50 years ago the children of three sisters decided to immortalize the love and affection their families shared. They formed Mulky Kolnadu Pademane Association in Dakshina Kannada district. As the family grew, the members undoubtedly moved away in search of greener pastures, but 50 years down the line, the kin of the founder still have a reason to come back to each other to celebrate their oneness.<br /><br />The family members today say that the family association is the universal thread of connection that defies the dangers of growing distance.<br /><br />The family named is Mulky Kolnadu Pademane and the Association is also named so. The Association was founded in 1962-63 by the children of Late Giriyamma Shedthi, Hariyamma Shedthi and Padmavathi Shedthi, daughters of the Late Thangi Shedthi and Late Shanker Shetty. The ancestral home is located in Mulky and today the Association has over 700 members, with total of 600 living members.<br /><br />The Association members meet every first week of May (Saturday and Sunday). It is in the month of May that family members converge at the ancestral home from different parts of the world to experience what is called ‘perfect happiness’ of togetherness. <br /><br />“Shattering all myths of generation gap, the family spreads out its roots like a grand old banyan tree waiting to overwhelm youth with its reach. Young, the elderly, the adolescent and the new born are all connected to this whole feeling called one family. Generations have come and gone with immaculate drive, each time the baton is passed including spouses, who become equally integral part of this institution, adding to its embracing canvas,” says Usha Hegde, one of the family members living in Bangalore. During the meeting days, the members take part in drama, dance, music, games, laughter and various other fun filled activities. The participation in the activities transcends the barrier of age. That is why a 70-year old gives a teenager a serious run for energy and enthusiasm during the two days of fun filled family get-together. The family takes part in all religious rituals to be held to the Daivas of the family during their visit to ancestral home. Apart from this, the family also publishes a family contact book, just to ensure that the members of the family are just a phone call away.<br /><br />Golden Jubilee<br /><br />The Association is celebrating its Golden Jubilee from May 4 to 6. The 50th anniversary meeting will be of three days and on day one will witness the family coming together to seek blessings from the gods and ancestors. Several religious programmes will be held on the first day to invoke the god almighty. With various activities packed from 50th year, the family members will part only to meet next year, without fail.</p>
