Mangaluru: According to the ancestors or elderly, no weddings, house warming ceremonies, festivals in temples, purchasing of property or vehicles, no purchase of gold, and any auspicious functions are held during this month.
However as per folklore experts that taboos associated with this month should be viewed from the historic perspective especially relating to agriculture. As there were heavy rains during “Aati” conducting functions would be a problem thus people would not consider celebrations
Apart from this, as this is not a reaping season – no crops, food grains, and vegetables were available thus agriculture families – who were in majority – were economically not sound and it was considered as a month of poverty.
Owing to the rains people were prone to diseases, thus they remembered the deceased members of the family by offering food to their spirits. “It was to establish relationship between generations,” he said.
Nevertheless, Aati today is nothing more than a weekend of fun, food and fiesta. People try to retain the culture and tradition as they involve themselves in the same old customary ways.
On August 9, Sunday under the direction of district administration the city of Mangaluru, young and old, had a day of enjoyment and reminiscence of age old tradition and cultural celebrations as the Aati Kuta 2015 was commemorated at the Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama.
With an aim to uphold cultural activities, Department of Kannada and Culture, Tourism Department, Swaroopa Adyayana Kendra, Savayava Krishika Grahakara Balaga, Mahila Mandala Okkoota, Kalkura Foundation, Dakshina Kannada Philatelic and Numismatic Association, and the Rotary Club came up with this initiative.
Aati mainly observed by the Nalike community who were considered traditional folk healers donned the role of “Aati kalenja” and visited houses dancing and begging for paddy or whatever foodgrains stored in houses. The “Aati kalenja” was considered as eradicator of evils in society. Students of the Swaroopa Adhayana Kendra dressed in the costumes made of flowers and coconut leaves as “Aati kalenja” and danced to the tune of the traditional Tulu Nadu music.
Large number of people, youngsters, senior citizens and families alike, gathered at the Guthumane at Pilikula to relish the event. Children were seen getting their faces and hands painted with organic colours. Tug of war was held in the slush field adjoining the paddy field. Even Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim participated in the activities with enthusiasm. Among the other activities, a performance of Yakshagana Talamaddale and eight-member Shri Durgaparameshwari Ammanavara Krupapooshita Chikkamela was included.
The main attraction of the entire event was the food, even as people live through various beliefs of the variety of the delicacies that are pattered, Aati has become mainly about the food. While some call it the food offering for the deceased soul, some enrich it for the medical qualities and some say that as main crops are not available just these varieties act as a substitute.
The entire meal consists of wild shrubs, plants, fruits and vegetables mainly found in wilderness, and some other seasonal fruits. The meal served at the Guthumane included of Uppinakai (Pickle), Kosambari (Salad), Timaray Chutney, Huruli Chutney, Chairaykodi Chutney, Halasina Beeja and Sojuck vegetable, Upad Pachidi and Kadalay vegetable, Mix of green vegetables (Harivaydantu, Kesudantu, Heraykai, Ambatayahulli), Halubhave, Rice (Boiled and White), Sojank Pakoda, Katt Saru and Rasam, Sandigay and Menasu, Kanilay and Hesaru Molakay Curry, Savtay, Kesuwina Tatlay Sambar, Halisina Kaihulli, Halisana Hannu Garigay, Mango Rasayana, Holige, Hasaru Belay and Halisana Hannu Payasa, Buttermilk and various other dishes that the present generation seems to have forgotten.
All in all it was fulfilled weekend as kids learned more about the ‘Aatikala’, (Aati Culture) and the elderly cherished their old memories.
