California, USA: Tulsi Tulu Koota, California, celebrated Bisu Parba 2026 with great enthusiasm and community spirit on May 3, 2026, at the scenic Elizabeth Park in Fremont, California.
Tuluvas from across the San Francisco Bay Area and nearby regions gathered to celebrate the harvest festival of Tulunadu, reconnect with the community, and preserve the rich cultural traditions of their homeland.
Strong community participation
The event was organised by Tulsi Tulu Koota founder Mrs. Anitha Naik along with the dedicated Bisu organising team comprising Mrs. Arpita, Mrs. Bhavya, Mrs. Shylaja, Mrs. Shakila, Mrs. Ravikala, Mrs. Anupama, Mr. Sandeep, Mr. Sourabh, Mr. Girish, and Dr. Jagadeesh Kumar.
The celebrations also received strong support from volunteers and community members.
Tulsi Tulu Koota has grown into a vibrant community organisation connecting more than 200 families, while this year’s Bisu celebration witnessed participation from over 100 attendees representing families from across Northern California.
Traditional inauguration and devotional beginning
The formal programme began with Master Srivatsa Kumar warmly welcoming the gathering and serving as the emcee in fluent Tulu.
A devotional invocation was rendered by Bhavya and Rakshitha, setting a festive and spiritual tone for the event.
Mrs. Maina, Mrs. Shashi, and Mrs. Anitha Naik formally inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamps.
Bisu Kani and heritage display attract attention
Continuing the tradition of previous years, the venue featured a beautifully arranged Bisu Kani displaying flowers, fruits, vegetables, grains, and harvest produce symbolising prosperity and gratitude towards nature.
A special heritage table showcasing traditional items from Tulunadu attracted visitors and created nostalgia among participants.
The display included cultural artefacts such as:
- Batti
- Pudaayi
- Tadpe
- Odu
- Bisale
- Marayi
- Thatti-kudupu
- Manth
- Sambara marai
- Thonduru
- Semeda-mane
The colourful arrangements served as a popular backdrop for community interaction and photographs.
Traditional Tulunadu cuisine served
A specially curated festive lunch featuring flavours of Tulunadu was one of the major highlights of the celebration.
The menu included traditional delicacies such as:
- Wheat Paayasa
- Holige
- Maddur Vada
- Veg Pulav and Raita
- Kadle-Manoli
- Pineapple Menasinakai
- Majjige Huli
Participants appreciated the authentic taste and nostalgic connection to homeland cuisine.
Games and entertainment create lively atmosphere
The celebrations turned more energetic after lunch with a series of games, entertainment activities, and impromptu skits involving children, youth, and elders.
One of the most entertaining activities involved participants finding matching pairs based on popular Tulunadu cultural and culinary word combinations such as:
- Kadle–Manoli
- Kai–Kajipu
- Neer Dose
- Kori–Rotti
The activity generated laughter, excitement, and meaningful interactions among participants.
Music and dance add festive spirit
One of the emotional highlights of the event was the collective singing of the soulful Tulu song “Tuluverenkulu,” which created a strong sense of unity among the attendees.
The event also featured an energetic group dance performance to the popular Tulu folk song “Moodai Banodu…” choreographed by Mrs. Megha Shetty.
The enthusiastic participation and synchronised performance added vibrancy to the cultural celebration.
Promoting Tulu culture abroad
The Bisu Parba 2026 celebration once again reflected Tulsi Tulu Koota’s commitment to preserving and promoting Tulu language, traditions, and cultural heritage among families living outside India.
The organisers stated that the event provided an important platform for children growing up in the United States to remain connected to their roots and cultural identity.
Conclusion
The celebration concluded as a memorable gathering filled with culture, food, music, games, and togetherness, leaving participants eagerly looking forward to future Bisu celebrations in Northern California.
