Mangalore: A research work on Billava culture over the centuries published as a book, was released in city on Thursday, March 1st.

M. Dejappa Dallodi took a dozen years to go into the history, customs and cultural aspects of this toddy-tapers backward community that has lakh of populations in Tulu coastal district, but without agricultural background, as the earlier generations depended on palm trees and native liquors production.

The Billavas were steeped in superstitions and unhelpful social customs concerning windows.

They believed in devils and spirits of ancestors and such temples (Garodis) were built for the ancestral Bhootas, to worship.

The Billavas in Parashurama Kshetra preserved Vedic Brahmin ways of worship in the coastal region and they spoke mostly Tulu also Malayalam (Threeyas).

Dallodi did a patient, painstaking research on the community for 12 to 15 years to bring out his book “Sourabha” (aroma) of Billava culture.

Dr. M. Prabhakar Joshi a critic said the author had given an anthropological and social out look to his research work. It was a momentous and rare occasion, Dr. M.P. Joshi said.

Several Scholars teachers, Photographers were feted on the special occasion. MU Registrar chimappa Gowda was present to savour the ethos and culture of Tulunadu depicted in the book by an able author.

Dr. M. Mohan Alva released the book and spoke highly of it.