Mangaluru: The chappara muhurtha ceremony for the fifth edition of Kudla da Pili Parba 2026 was held at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru on October 11, marking the preparations for the annual tiger dance festival scheduled for Sunday, October 18.
The event is organised by Kudla Samskruthika Prathishtana under the guidance of former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and the leadership of Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath.
The ceremony marked an important step in the preparations for the festival, which celebrates the cultural traditions of Tulu Nadu through Pili Vesha, the region’s traditional tiger dance.
Festival to celebrate Tulu Nadu’s cultural heritage
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Vedavyas Kamath said the fifth edition of Kudla da Pili Parba aims to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Tulu Nadu and pass its traditions on to future generations.
He extended his best wishes to all the participating Pili Vesha teams and invited the public to attend the event and encourage the performers.
Kamath expressed confidence that the festival would be a grand success, bringing together performers and the public to celebrate a distinctive cultural tradition of the coastal region.
Pili Vesha, in which performers paint their bodies with tiger-like patterns and dance to traditional percussion, is an integral part of Mangaluru’s festive culture, particularly during Dasara. Events such as Kudla da Pili Parba provide a platform for teams to showcase their performances and help sustain interest in the tradition among younger generations.
Organisers attend chappara muhurtha
Kudla Samskruthika Prathishtana honorary president Giridhar Shetty and president Divakar Pandeshwar were present at the ceremony.
Prathishtana members Naresh Shenoy, Yatheesh Baikampady, Kamalaksha Bajilakeri, Kiran Shenoy, Naresh Prabhu, Jagadish Kadri and Lalith Mendon also attended, along with others associated with the event.
With the chappara muhurtha completed, preparations are underway for the fifth edition of Kudla da Pili Parba at Nehru Maidan on October 18. The organisers have invited the public to participate in the celebration and support the Pili Vesha teams.