Mangaluru : The ‘Aati Kuta’ to be held at Dr. Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama. Apart from the Nisargadhama staff, personnel from departments of Horticulture, Agriculture, Kannada and Culture, and organisations such as Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra and Rotary Club will be take part in this celebration of the month of Aati.

You can relish traditional dishes such as ‘patrode’ and ‘halasina gatti’ and also try planting paddy saplings on the field. You could paint your faces or wear masks to resemble the ‘Aati Kalinja’.

During a preparatory meeting held on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner, Executive Director of the Nisargadhama S.A. Prabhakara Sharma said activities would be held at the Guttinamane and at the Urban Haat between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“The activities, including the inauguration, will be unique,” he said.

The celebration will start at the Guttinamane with planting paddy saplings in the paddy field. This will be followed by ‘Aati Kalinja’ vesha from people of Belthangady, Puttur and Sullia.

“These veshas will be done by those who have been donning it for years,” said Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim while emphasising that such a display will in no way hurt sentiments of the persons so dressed.

Following this, there will be planting of coconut saplings and Yakshagana Chikkamela. Those attending the events at Pilikula will be served with snacks such as ‘tekkade Adya’, ‘halasina gatti’, ‘akki pundi’, ‘patrode’ and ‘kadale pedangi’.

The activities would then shift to Urban Haat, opposite the zoo. Competitions in Aati Kalinja vesha, Aati Kalinja dance, recitation of Aati poems, ‘Tulu ogatu’ (tulu puzzles) and quiz would be among the events conducted. There will be a Yakshagana Talamaddale and performances by Yakshagana Chikkamela.

Among the activities planned for the children are face-painting using organic colours, which will be done by Rotary Club. The Swaroopa Adyayana Kendra run by Gopadkar will bring masks that children can use to enact the Aati Kalinja. Children can also try a hand at playing the traditional game of Chennamane.

Food will be served at the Guttinamane to those who buy coupons priced at Rs. 250. Others can relish the dishes at the stalls in Urban Haat.