Mangalore : ‘Aatida Kooto,’ a celebration of Tulu culture jointly organised by Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and Soujanya Mahila Mandala Urwa, Hoigebail, at Sri Radhakrishna Mandir, near Urwa Marigudi here, on Saturday July 18.

Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President M Janaki Brahmavara inaugurated the programme, after inaugurating the programme she said, ‘Aati’ was very bad in my early days, but as time passed now it is just like another month in the year. This is the traditional Tulunadu culture in the atmosphere.

Mangaluru Taluku Mahila Mandalagala Okkuta President Devaki Acchuta presided over the function.

The well known song of Tulunadu- ‘Dennana Dennana’ made even women to check their dancing skills.

‘Yeth porludo bhashe namma Tulu saaro esalda tavare’ song of Kayyara Kinhanna Rai made Tuluvas proud of their language.

A song on ‘Aati kulluna’ (system of married woman staying at her parents’ home during the month of Aati), written by M Janaki Brahmavara touched the feelings of audience.

The inseparable parts of Tulu culture- Aati Kalanja, Maadira, Daiva (Bhootha), Maadira, Yakshagana and Hulivesha were presented through fancily dressed kids and elders.

Vineetha, clad in Hulivesha attracted onlookers through her acrobatic skills. Pranav Kumar, who dressed as a Yakshagana character shined with his ‘girki’.

As a part of ‘Aatida koota,’ various vegetarian cuisines were prepared by the members of Soujanya Mahila Mandala.

The cuisines included ‘moode’, ‘tajank playa’, ‘kanile padenji’, ‘haalu baayi’, ‘kuduta chatni’, ‘pelakkayida appa’, ‘pelakkayida gatti’, ‘santani’, ‘patrode’ and many others.

There was ‘midi uppinakayi’ and spicy ‘kashaya’ for the cool monsoon.

Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy President M Janaki Brahmavara, one of the programme organisers Padmanabha Naik and young magician Vishak Rao were felicitated on the occasion.

Mangalore city Corporators Radhakrishna, Nagaveni, Mahila Mandala Honourary President Rohini B, President Gayathri R Rao and others were present on the occasion.