Rons Bantwal
Baroda, Apr 15: Tulu Sangha Baroda celebrated the Tulu New Year, ‘Bisu Parba,’ with traditional grandeur at the world’s first and only ‘Tulu Chavadi,’ located at the Indiabulls Mega Mall in the city on Tuesday.
Presiding over the event, honorary president of Tulu Sangha Baroda, Dayananda Bontra, highlighted the significance of the festival. "Bisu marks the beginning of the Tuluva New Year. It is a long-standing belief that viewing the ‘Kani’ first thing in the morning on this day brings prosperity, good fortune, and auspiciousness. This festival is deeply rooted in our agrarian culture, signaling the start of a new farming season. By arranging fruits, grains, gold, and flowers in the ‘Kani,’ elders pass down the message of wealth and abundance to the next generation," he said.
The celebrations were held under the guidance of the president of the Sangha, Shashidhar B Shetty Guruvayanakere. The event featured religious rituals, bhajans, and traditional hymns. A women’s wing, led by Pramila Shashidhar Shetty, conducted the ‘Kani Puja’ and facilitated the ‘Kani Darshana’ for the members.
Honorary general secretary Balakrishna A Shetty noted that Bisu is an occasion that fosters harmony and love by bringing family members together. "This tradition helps in preserving the rich culture and heritage of the Tuluvas even while staying away from the homeland," he added.
A unique highlight of the programme was an address by Satish Patel, a native of Gujarat who studied and worked in Mangaluru for several years. Speaking fluently in Tulu, Patel praised the vibrant Tuluva culture and the adventurous spirit of its people.
On the occasion, the Sangha felicitated member Nagaraj, who is relocating to Mysuru to lead a retired life. Senior members K Madhava Shetty and Mahaveer Jain, and honorary treasurer P Balachandra Gowda were present on the dais.
Prominent members including Dinesh Shetty, Pramila Shetty, Pallavi Shetty, Manohari Shetty, Dinakar Shetty, Madan Kumar Mudigere, Ganavi Madan Gowda, Koragappa Banjan, Dr Anita Shetty, and Subhash Shetty were present. Balakrishna A Shetty welcomed the gathering and compered the programme, while P Balachandra Gowda proposed the vote of thanks.