Muscat, Aug 17: The Oman based youth group ‘Biruva Javaner Muscat’ celebrated the first ever ‘Aatid Onji Dina’ (A day of Aati) with a full day programme on 10 August 2018 at Barka Farm House, Muscat.
A large number of expatriate Mangalureans flocked to the venue to celebrate the month of ‘Aati’ and the place reverberated with the aura of Tulu heritage. The venue, the entrance arch and stage were brought alive with Tulu style decoration such as rangoli, siri leaves, face masks etc. The guests were welcomed with traditional ‘Poorna Kumba’welcome. The delicious lunch comprised of traditional home made dishes specially prepared by the lady members.
The chief guest and other dignitaries were accorded traditional veelya (betel leaves and arecanut), shawl and muttale (areca spathe caps) as a mark of honour. Children of the members set the tone for the programme with a prayer. Ravi Katapadi, a social worker hailing from Katapadi near Udupi was specially invited to Muscat as a guest of honor for the function. Despite his humble personal life, Ravi Katapadi had made himself a hero by under taking fundraising to help poor children with medical disorders. He had become famous for wearing the looks of Krampus, a character from the Hollywood movie Krampus, to help in his fundraising drive. Ravi Katapadi was specially honoured by ‘Biruva Javaner Muscat’ during the function in order to encourage his philanthropic spirit.
‘Biruva Javaner Muscat’ is a small group of friends who are dedicated to the service of the poor people. Its activities include health care and medical services for the sick, poor children's education, welfare activities for poor girl children, blood donation camp etc. It has made a small effort to fulfill the wishes of poor people and wipe their tears with their hands. The ‘Aatid Onji Dina’ programme was organized to communicate the rich heritage of Tulu culture to the next generation of youth.
Our main objective was to stimulate discussion regarding how to carry forward the Tulu culture and traditions observed by our elders and ancestors in the modern era. The various speakers suggested how ‘Biruva Javaner Muscat’ should become a model service organization and how through its activities it can mould the youth with the guidance of the elders. Members of ‘Biruva Javaner Muscat’ sought everyone’s cooperation for the purpose. There were talks on different aspects of cultural significance of Aati and connected traditions.
63 lady members of ‘Biruva Javaner Muscat’ employed their culinary skills to prepare 35 seasonal delicacies of Aati for lunch. The dishes included pathrode, horse gram chutney, uppad pacchil, metheda ganji, appa and neer pundi. Lunch was followed by cultural programme and sports competitions. The programme concluded with vote of thanks.
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