Mangalore: The organizers of Bhoothanatheshwara games festival due on 12th Feb., next at 9amwith D.V Sadananda Gowda, MP, A.Mohana Alva guests of honour, called a press conference at Hotel Gold Finch in City on Feb.9 at night.
Vijayanath Shetty is the chief co-coordinator of the event. The games will be conducted for two days on 12th and 13th Feb., with the aim of reviving rural games in Tulunadu as per traditions prevailing in Udupi-DK-Kasaragod district that form the real Tulunadu. There are 21 games and 1,300 contestants this year, Shetty said.
Bharatanatyam dance will round up the valedictory session of the Games Festival at 6pm on 13th Feb., with film star-dancer Shobhana of Lalitha-Padmini group of yore giving her performance, it was stated.
A Bhojan Mandali of the venue in Badaga Edapadavu of Mijar in Mangalore Taluk, will over see the village games at the 1500 year old temple of Shiva.
Some of the rural sports and games given new life are: Tug of war in wet field, races in mud, Coconut Basket race, De-husking coconuts by teeth, Cycle race and so on. There are competitions in Rangoli, drawings, Beedi rolling, weaving a design by coconut leaf, rice-packing, Fancy dress and body building. A best decorated cow and a good looking cock will be awarded prizes, the organizers informed. Winners are given cash, medals or shields. Cash ranges upto Rs.25,000 (Cycle race) to Rs 5,000 for the best cow and the cock gets Rs 3,000.
Entertainment programmes are also arranged. The response from coastal belt so far is tremendous with applications for participations from many towns. There is a dress code of Dhithi (Mundu) for males and Saree (or Chudi-dar) for ladies.
There are several programmes at the same venue in the next 3 months.