Michigan: Michigan Tuluvas celebrated its 5th consecutive Annual Cultural Event – Varshikotsava (something that started as a small group gathering in 2021) on October 3, 2026, at West Bloomfield Middle School, bringing together around 200 plus members of the Tulu community, families and well-wishers for an evening dedicated to the rich culture and traditions of Tulunadu.
Established in 2017, Michigan Tuluvas has been bringing together the Tulu-speaking community in Michigan while creating a platform to preserve and pass on the language, traditions, arts and cultural heritage of Tulunadu to future generations growing up in the United States.
The celebration was graced by AATA President Shreevali Rai and AATA Founder President Bhaskar Sherigar as special guests along with Shivalli kutumba founder President Prashantha Kumar and current President Santosh Goli. Michigan Tuluvas founders Prajwal Shetty and Manas Baykadi, along with Michigan Tuluvas community strong supporters Lal Mendon and Santosh Udupi, were also among those present for the occasion.
One of the major attractions of this year’s Varshikotsava was a vibrant Yakshagana performance by local artists from different parts of the United States. Bringing one of coastal Karnataka’s most treasured traditional art forms to an American stage, the performance showcased the distinctive costumes, expressions, music and storytelling associated with Yakshagana and received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
Another major highlight of the evening was the spectacular cultural themed fashion show. Through elaborate costumes, traditional characters and dramatic presentation, participants brought to life the contrasting worlds of the Devas and Asuras. The presentation combined mythology, creativity and performance, making it one of the most memorable attractions of the celebration.
The evening also featured a variety of dance performances, drama and other cultural presentations by members of the community along with every family getting a small bag of sweets directly shipped from Udupi. Guest speeches and a Mangalorean cuisine based dinner complemented the celebrations, bringing families and friends together in the spirit of culture, tradition and community.
More than an annual gathering, the Varshikotsava reflected the community’s continuing effort to keep its cultural roots alive far from its homeland. From Yakshagana to traditional and contemporary cultural performances, the event offered younger generations growing up in America an opportunity to experience and connect with the heritage of Tulunadu.
Thousands of miles away from the shores of coastal Karnataka, the successful celebration once again demonstrated how the Tulu community in Michigan continues to preserve, celebrate and pass on its language, traditions and cultural identity across generations.
