Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada: Vijay Kumar Kodial Bail of the Tulunad Artists’ Union has urged the district administration to relax the 10.00 pm restriction on cultural programmes to protect traditional practices. Speaking at a press conference in Mangalore, he stated that several local rituals, including the tying of the gagara, often take place around this time, and the strict curfew is creating difficulties for performers and organisers.
Concerns over cultural restrictions
Kodial Bail emphasised that the continuation of traditional events is vital to preserving the cultural identity of Tulunadu. “It was 10 o’clock, it’s the time to tie gagara, and the police may ask to remove the gagara. The district administration should relax the law to protect the traditional practices here,” he said.
He added that halting programmes abruptly not only disrupts rituals but also diminishes the audience experience and undermines the performers’ efforts. Cultural events such as Yakshagana, folk performances, and community celebrations often run late into the night, making the existing curfew a challenge.
Call for government intervention
The Tulunad Artists’ Union appealed to people’s representatives and local authorities to take swift action in revising the curfew policy. Kodial Bail stated that the law should consider the cultural importance of events and allow exceptions where necessary.
Conclusion
With cultural traditions forming an integral part of Mangalore’s heritage, the artists’ union is seeking administrative flexibility to ensure age-old practices continue without legal hindrances. Discussions with the district administration and elected representatives are expected to follow.