Mangalore : The programme started at 10am on Monday (Aug 2), with information officer Rohini who gave the presents called Padi (Fruits, arecanuts and Paddy) to the Aati Kalenja Folk dance players. Once the players decorated as ‘Aati Kalenja’ dancers in folk dress, the programme started in a meeting. A foreword for the event was singing of Pad-thanas (songs of farming). The team of Aati players, Gangu and Bhaskara, with their singers came specifically to put on ‘Aati Kalenja’ dance costumes to Mangalore and go round home to home receiving Dakshina (gift) in the form of Rice or Paddy, fruits and arecanuts with betel leaves. The dancers also created general awareness among people of Tulunad over local diseases (Dengue, Malaria, Chikangunya) which had created a havoc in 2009 and during Monsoon, by distributing pamphlets written by local Health department and information officials. Wherever they went and danced the ‘Aati Kalenja’ folk dancers in their colourful costumes were heartily welcomed as a lovable guest by the people of Tulunad.

‘Aati Kalenja’ dancing forms come to town only during the rainy month of Aati (Ashada) to remove diseases that are normal to Monsoon. Mari Roga (water borne disease) was common then, and the month was considered inauspicious for any new venture or good event such as marriage.

But people used to prepare special dishes and share them with each other in a colony and welcome the ‘Aatida Bhoota’ or ‘Aati Kalenja’. The tradition is thinning and few teams are found in Puttur and Sullya who play the age-old dance from house to house. And they do not forget to come to Mangalore, the hub of all arts in Tulunadu.

More research is needed on this rare and special dancing process of a costume player to drive away fear and diseases during Monsoon month of Aati.