What makes beliefs in Bhutaradhane and Nagaradhane so strong?

You can also read this article in Kannada here.

Steve Jobs of Apple had asked to give the book - Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahamsa Yogananda – as a last gift to all who attended his memorial service. I am half way through the book. But I am finding it difficult to complete it due to references to miracles in that book! What aspect of the book, Steve Jobs - one of the most respected men in modern technology, found inspiring – I am yet to find out.

No matter however modern we become, there are some aspects of our belief systems, which cannot be explained in the realms of logic. Belief in holy spirits is one of such kind. Recently premiered documentary series – Belief – in Discovery Channel is a testimony to such beliefs all around the world! Bhuta Kola, explained in one of my earlier posts, constitutes the belief system of people of coastal Karnataka for several centuries. 

A Night of Bhuta Kola

You can also read this article in Kannada here.

I witnessed a Bhuta Kola recently in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district. Performed during the night, Bhuta Kola or Bhoota Kola is a predominant form of worship of the Holy Spirits in Tulu Nadu (comprising of Mangalore, Udupi districts of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala). Though I am a native of Mangalore, it was the first time I watched the full ritual, which runs from dusk to dawn. Bhutas are worshiped as a divine forms or Ganas of deities like Lord Shiva or Mother Goddess. They are also worshiped as Rajan Daiva(royal spirit). Also, local heroes like Koti Chennaya, who stood for truth and dharma are given the status of Daiva after their death.

Bhuta Sthana or Bhuta Gudi

Season of Bhuta Kola : Also called Dharma Nema, Bhuta Kola is performed anytime from Deepavali day(during October) till Pattanaje or the 10th day of the Hindu month of Vrishabha (falls around the 25th of May). Bhuta (the Holy Spirit) is also called Daiva and the worship of Bhuta is known as Bhutaraadhane or Daivaraadhane. Bhuta, when worshipped by a group of families spread over various villages and towns, is called Kutumba Daiva. A shrine or a temple is built for the Daiva by the family. It is called a Bhuta Sthaana or Bhuta Gudi. On the other hand, Daiva's are also worshiped by all the people of a village or town.

Quiz on Tulu Nadu and Tulu Culture

Every year ‘Aatidonji Koota’(a get together of Tuluvas in the month of Aati) is celebrated with great enthusiasm among Tuluvas. In cities like Bangalore, it is an occasion to take break from the busy life and meet the fellow Tuluvas and have a good time. Recently, I attend one such gathering. On that occasion, I was responsible for conducting a quiz on Tulu Nadu and Tulu culture. Following are the questions from the quiz. I must admit that I enjoyed preparing these questions - had fun searching several texts for questions, finding English equivalent terms for native Tulu words. I came to know more about my culture and felt proud about the Tulu heritage. Hope you enjoy answering these questions. Do let me know how many of these questions you are able to answer correctly! :)

1.       When was Vishwa Tulu Sammelana held?

a.       December 2008

b.      December 2010

c.       December 2009

d.      December 2007

2.       Why does ’Aati Kalenja’ visit homes in Tulu Nadu in the month of Aati?

a.       To indicate that the month of Aati is over

b.      To ward off evil spirits and diseases

c.       To convey the message of Emperor Bali

d.      To begin the cutting of the crop

3.       What do you call the umbrella made of palm leaves, held by Aati Kalenja?

a.      Tatra

b.      Kedinjel

c.       Toppige

d.      Gaggara

4.       Who published the Tulu-English dictionary in 1886?

a.       Reverend Manner

b.      Reverend Kittel

c.       Hegan

d.      Father Muller

5.       Whose rule was majorly confined to parts of Tulu Nadu?

a.       Gangas

b.      Alupas

c.       Chalukyas

d.      Rashtrakutas

6.       During  Aati Amavaasye people have the drink made from the bark of which tree?

a.       Jack fruit

b.      Alstonia Scholaris / Milkwood Pine/ Ditabark

c.       Banyan

d.      Indian gooseberry / Nelli Kayi / Amla

7.        Historically, which river separates from Tulu Nadu from Kerala?

a.       Varahi

b.      Chandragiri

c.       Netravati

d.      Kaveri

8.       Which famous Tulu theater actor acted in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Malayalam movie ‘Vidheyan?

a.       Devadas Kapikad

b.      Naveen D Padil

c.       Vamana Nandavara

d.      Anand Bolar

9.       Which great poet invited Kannadigas, Telugoids and Tuluvas to enjoy his poetry by saying ‘ayyayya chenaadudene Kannadigaru, rayyamanchidiyene  Teluga, ayyayya encha porlandendu Tuluvaru maiyyubbi kelabekanna!’

a.       Muddana

b.      Ratnakara Varni

c.       Kunda Verma

d.      Charukeerti

10.   What is the original name(moola nama) of ‘Kallurti’ bhoota?

a.       Kalkuda

b.      Kaali

c.       Kalkutiga

d.      Katyayini

11.   According  to Hindu cosmology, which one of the following regions became Tulu Nadu?

a.       Yaksha Loka

b.      Kinnara Loka

c.       Naga Loka

d.      Deva Loka

12.   ‘kang gla, taare gla onje tale athth’ – what is the meaning of this Tulu saying?

a.       Areca nut tree and coconut tree are not the same

b.      Though the task done is same charge according to the person’s financial status

c.       Relationship and business are two entirely different aspects and not to be mixed

d.      Treat everyone as equal

13.   Which is the birth place of warriors of Tulu Nadu – Koti and Chennaya?

a.       Padumale

b.      Veeramale

c.       Elumale

d.      Kemmale

14.   Which is the special game played during the month of Aati?

a.       Marbles

b.      Tip-cat / Chinni Daandu

c.       Chenne Mane

d.      Game of dice / Pagade

15.   Who is the author of Tulu epic – ‘Shree Bhagavato’?

a.       Nrupa Tunga

b.      Vishnu Tunga

c.       Naranappa

d.      Muddana

16.   Which is the first movie to be released in Tulu language?

a.      Pagetta Puge

b.      Bisatti Babu

c.       Udald Tudar

d.      Enna Tangadi

17.   Who among the following served as the wrestler in Mayippadi Palace and was famous for super human feats?

a.       Agoli Manjanna

b.      Maroli Chomanna

c.       Pulkuru Baacha

d.      Hydroose

18.   Who is the mother of Koti and Chennaya?

a.       Deyi Baiditi

b.      Kinnidaru

c.       Chennamma

d.      Ponnamma

19.   Which two rivers meet in Mangalore/Kudla?

a.       Netravati, Varahi

b.      Netravati, Payaswini

c.       Netravati, Chandragiri

d.      Netravati, Gurupura

20.   During the reign of which king did the ‘Aliya Kattu’ tradition come into place in coastal Karnataka?

a.       Kunda Verma

b.      Bommarasa

c.       Bhootala Pandya

d.      Nagarasa

Answers:

1.       December 2009

2.       To ward off evil spirits and diseases

3.       Tatra

4.       Reverend Manner

5.       Alupas

6.       Alstonia Scholaris / Milkwood Pine/ Ditabark

7.       Chandragiri

8.       Naveen D Padil

9.       Ratnakara Varni

10.   Kaali

11.   Naga Loka

12.   Though the task done is same charge according to the person’s financial status

13.   Padumale

14.   Chenne Mane

15.   Vishnu Tunga

16.   Enna Tangadi

17.   Pulkuru Baacha

18.   Deyi Baidithi

19.   Netravati, Gurupura

20.   Bhootala Pandya

Tulu Script and Thawlava Software

You can read this post in Kannada here.

Not many people know that Tulu language has its own script. Bhagavato is the first Tulu epic to have been written in Tulu Script. In this epic, Poet Vishnutunga quotes Kannada poets Kumaravyaasa and Chaatu Vithalanaatha. Bhagavato dates back to 1636 A.D. This epic has been preserved in Manuscripts Department of Mangalore University with the efforts of Dr Venkataraja Puninchattaya(Info: Baravuda Jeetige - by Suryoday Perampalli).Kannada actor Suryoday Perampalli has brought out a book of Tulu alphabets. You can see the Tulu alphabets from one of the pages of the book below. On the other hand, National Computer Literacy Committee has come up with Tulu transliteration software - Thwalava 2.0. Key board layout used is the same as the one used for Kannada transliteration software - Nudi. There are 50 alphabets in Tulu language. Demo of the software was done in last year's World Tulu Convention. You can also see the usage of the software in the video below.

Related Links:
Times Of India's report on Thawlava Software
Deccan Herald's report on Thawalava Software

Puttur Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple Chariot Festival

Chariot Festival of Mahotobhaara Shree Mahalingeshwara Temple, Puttur was held on April 17, 2010. 71 feet high Brahma Ratha or Chariot was the highlight this time. Though it rained heavily for about an hour during the night of Chariot festival and created a mess for the people gathered, once it stopped raining people gathered again with the same enthusiasm at the festival grounds. Before Chariot festival begins, there is cracker festival held, witnessed and applauded by thousands gathered. Sky filled with colors during this time, is a treat to watch. But this time, due to rains cracker festival began at about 11 pm. So I could not see the whole of the festival. Here are some of the photos from the festival.

Brahma Ratha of Puttur Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple

Wood carvings on Brahma Ratha

Temple Pond of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple

Full view of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple

Brahma Ratha decorated with electric bulbs

Bird's View of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple

Betaala puppet

Entertainment stalls at Festival

raveeshkumar.com in KODIPU - Commemorative volume of Vishwa Tulu Sammelano 2009

KODIPU is a Commemorative Volume of Vishwa Tulu Sammelano - 2009 held at Ujire, Dakshina Kannada comprising of articles on Tulu language, literature and culture. I am very happy to note in KODIPU, my blog www.raveeshkumar.com gets mentioned in the article - Namma Tulu on the Global Platform written by Yogitha Shetty, Mysore. Check out page No.219 of the KODIPU for details.This is what the article has to say about the blog - "Amidst innumerable issues which have beeen spurred for debate, a post on the forum of the website http://www.raveeshkumar.com which dwells on 'Learn Tulu Online: Talking to your Tulu Speaking friend' very interestingly provides a list of sentences in Tulu and Kannada. The feedback that it has received not only pats on the back of the blogger who has posted those sentences but also expresses the desire to read more of them thereby giving a glimpse of the pulse of the readers."
Here are the posts I had written about learning Tulu on the net
Learn Tulu Online : Part 1 - Commonly Used Phrases
Learn Tulu Online : Part 2 - Talking In a Restaurant, Conversing with a vendor
Learn Tulu Online : Part 3 - Talking to your Tulu Speaking friend

Tulu Grama at Vishwa Tulu Sammelana, Ujire

Probably, Tulu grama at Vishwa Tulu Sammelano 2009 in Ujire attracted more number of visitors. Tulu grama, spread across 8 acres of land in Ujire was called Ajjara Kallu. It refreshed my memories about the professions people were involved, some 10-15 years ago in most of the villages in Dakshina Kannada. On the whole, Tulu grama was representative of the adminstrative setup of Tulu village some time back.

Entrance to Ajjara Kall Tulu grama

Info about Tulu grama in Tulu

Map of Tulu grama

Crowded Tulu grama

Paddy field in Tulu grama

Temple in Tulu grama

Tailor

Conventional Gym

Machine to sharpen Scissors

Preparing Soda

Extracting Sugar cane juice

Basket preparing

Kole Basava

Goldsmith at work

Candy shop

Jaggery

Gas Light

Vishwa Tulu Sammelano 2009 Photos

Few snaps of Vishwa Tulu Sammelano 2009 held at Ujire, Dakshina Kannada from 10th 13th December 2009.

Entrance to Vishwa Tulu Sammelana

Tulunaada Siridompa

Tuluvere Maanastambha

Koti Chennaya Aane baakil

Heroes of Tulunaadu - Koti Chennaya, Statue of Koti

Statue of Parashuraama

Main Stage of Vishwa Tulu Sammelana

Crowded roads in Vishwa Tulu Sammelana

Idol representing Bhootaaraadhane in Tulunaadu

TMA Pai Mantapa

SDM College, Ujire

Sri Ratnavarma Heggade Stadium, Ujire

Kadambaadi Jattappa Rai Mantapa

Ani used in Bhootaaraadhane

Art in Sand

Ajja Ajji in Aatil Aragane

Vishwa Tulu Sammelano(World Tulu Convention) at Ujire in Dec 2009

Update: 19th December 2009, For viewing the photos of Vishwa Tulu Sammelano 2009 please visit here.

Vishwa Tulu Sammelano or World Tulu Convention in association with Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy will be held in Ujire near Dharmasthala from 10th to 13th December 2009.

World Tulu Convention logo

Before the Convention in December, talks/competitions/demos/exhibitions relating to Tulu language and Tulu Nadu will be held in several venues on the following dates.

Karkala -- Sept 19,20 - National workshop on Tulu
Bantwal -- October 10 - Riddles, Idioms and Customs in Tulu
Mangalore - October 31 - Debate on Commercial Aspects and Netravati River Diversion
Moodabidre - November 07 - Religious and Cultural Programmes
Udupi - November 21 - Jewels, Costumes, Indigenous Medicines
Puttur - November 28 - Folk games of Tulu Nadu
Kasaragod - November 29 - Dance forms of Southern Tulu Nadu

For more details, contact:
Secretary
Head Office, Vishwa Tulu Sammelano, Ujire
Phone : 08256 - 237801
Mobile : 94485 58583, 90083 61611

Also, you can visit the following links
Vishwa Tulu Sammelano - official website
First Vishwa Tulu Sammelan at Ujire - TOI Report
World Tulu Convention at Ujire in December - Deccan Herald Report