Mangaluru: In a major effort to safeguard Tulunadu’s cultural legacy, Karavali Wikimedians and Tulu Wikimedians have collaborated to document the unique traditions of the Aati month. This initiative captures rituals, cuisine, folk games, and oral traditions in a rich multimedia archive, ensuring that Tulu heritage, which was previously underrepresented, is preserved for future generations.
Led by banker and cultural enthusiast Bharathesha Alasandemajalu, the project highlights Aati Amavasya rituals, where families drink Paleda Kashaya before sunrise for immunity, followed by Menthe Ganji, a nourishing porridge. Over 30 minutes of video footage across 18 visual narratives bring these timeless practices to life.
Launched on December 25, 2024, the initiative also featured a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon in January, where 10 students contributed well-researched articles on Aati traditions. An MoU with SDM College, Ujire, was signed to integrate cultural documentation into academia.
The team curated over 2,000 photographs across 20 locations in Karnataka and Kerala, creating 303 new Wikipedia articles and enhancing 624 existing ones. Experts like Dr. Vishwanatha Badikana, Dr. Kishore Kumar Rai Sheni, and Chidananda Kampa played crucial roles in content development, while media specialists Ashay and Annop Rao provided tech support. Contributors like Pragathi BH and Hariprasad Shetty made significant contributions to the article-writing contest.
This project stands as one of the most comprehensive digital repositories of Tulu heritage, ensuring global accessibility and long-term preservation.
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