Mysuru: The rich cultural heritage, language and rural traditions of Tulunadu will take centre stage during Mysuru Dasara, with a two-day programme featuring ancient artefacts, historic coins, musical performances and the felicitation of 25 achievers from the coastal region who have made significant contributions to Mysuru.

Organised by the Pajir–Tulu Study Centre, Puttur, the programme will be held on October 18 and 19 at a cultural stage near the Vijayadashami Jodukere Kambala venue in Mysuru. The initiative aims to introduce visitors and Kambala spectators to the history, language, folk traditions and rural lifestyle of Tulunadu.

The programme will feature four main attractions: ‘Parappu’, an exhibition of ancient artefacts and traditional rural objects; ‘Panavu’, a collection of old Indian and foreign coins; ‘Tulunadu Manikya’, an award ceremony honouring 25 achievers; and ‘Ural’, a Kannada–Tulu musical programme.

‘Parappu’ to showcase traditional rural life

The ‘Parappu’ exhibition will display traditional household articles, agricultural implements and other objects that reflect the everyday lives, customs and practices of earlier generations.

Selected ancient artefacts from Mysuru will also be part of the exhibition, bringing together elements of the cultural histories of Tulunadu and the heritage city.

The organisers intend to use the exhibition to familiarise younger generations with traditional knowledge, agricultural practices and the ways of life followed by their ancestors. The objects on display are expected to offer visitors a glimpse into the region’s rural heritage and the skills and practices that shaped community life.

The exhibition will also provide an opportunity for visitors attending the Kambala event to learn about traditional objects that are no longer commonly used in modern households and agricultural activities.

Entry to the ‘Parappu’ exhibition will cost Rs 50 per person, according to a press release issued by the organisers.

‘Panavu’ to display old Indian and foreign coins

The ‘Panavu’ exhibition will feature old coins from different parts of India and foreign countries. The collection is intended to introduce visitors to historical monetary systems and offer insights into the evolution of currency, trade and commerce.

Coins serve as important historical records, reflecting the economic activity, political developments and cultural exchanges of different periods. Through the display, visitors will have an opportunity to explore how currency has changed over time and how monetary systems have been used in different regions.

Together, the ‘Parappu’ and ‘Panavu’ exhibitions aim to make the cultural programme an educational experience for visitors of different age groups.

‘Tulunadu Manikya’ to honour 25 achievers

One of the major highlights of the two-day programme will be ‘Tulunadu Manikya’, an initiative to honour 25 individuals from Tulunadu who have made notable contributions to Mysuru.

The achievers have excelled in fields including education, literature, art, culture, entrepreneurship and social service. According to the organisers, their contributions have supported Mysuru’s social, cultural and economic development.

The felicitation will recognise the achievements of people who have roots in the coastal region but have made Mysuru their home and contributed to its growth.

The initiative also seeks to highlight the role of people from Tulunadu in strengthening cultural and social connections between coastal Karnataka and Mysuru. By recognising their work, the organisers hope to celebrate their achievements and encourage younger generations to draw inspiration from their contributions.

‘Ural’ to celebrate Kannada and Tulu music

The cultural programme will also feature ‘Ural’, a musical event dedicated to Kannada and Tulu songs.

The event will celebrate the literary and musical traditions of both languages while providing a platform to appreciate their shared cultural connections. Kannada and Tulu have distinct linguistic traditions, but music and cultural activities offer opportunities for speakers of the two languages to engage with one another.

Through the musical programme, the organisers aim to promote cultural harmony and bring the linguistic heritage of coastal Karnataka to a wider audience during the Dasara festivities.

The inclusion of music alongside exhibitions and the felicitation ceremony is intended to make the event appealing to Kambala spectators, families and other visitors attending Mysuru Dasara.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah to inaugurate programme

The two-day programme will be inaugurated on October 18 by Urban Development Minister and Mysuru district in-charge Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai will be present at the inauguration. Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader, Chamundeshwari MLA G T Devegowda, State Kambala Committee president Devi Prasad Rai and Mysuru Kambala Committee convenor Muralidhara Rai will also be present, according to the organisers.

The programme has been planned alongside the Vijayadashami Jodukere Kambala event, allowing visitors to experience the traditional buffalo race as well as exhibitions and performances highlighting Tulunadu’s heritage.

Kambala, the traditional buffalo race associated with coastal Karnataka, is an important part of the region’s rural and cultural identity. Its presence in Mysuru during the Dasara season provides an opportunity to introduce traditions from coastal Karnataka to audiences from different parts of the state.

Bringing Tulunadu and Mysuru closer

The Pajir–Tulu Study Centre’s initiative aims to make cultural heritage accessible beyond the communities where these traditions originated. By presenting artefacts, coins, music and the achievements of people from Tulunadu, the programme seeks to create greater awareness of the coastal region’s history and cultural contributions.

The organisers said the initiative would complement the traditional buffalo race with an enriching cultural experience, strengthen the relationship between Tulunadu and Mysuru, and encourage younger generations to appreciate and preserve their heritage.

Visitors attending the Kambala event on October 18 and 19 can visit the nearby cultural stage to explore the exhibitions, attend the musical programme and witness the felicitation of the 25 achievers.

With its combination of heritage displays, recognition of community contributors and Kannada–Tulu music, the programme will offer a platform to celebrate Tulunadu’s traditions as part of the wider Mysuru Dasara festivities.