Kannada Version
ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ತುಳುವೆರ್ ತಂಡದಿಂದ ಅದ್ಬುತ “ಆಟಿದೊಂಜಿ ದಿನ”
ಸಿಂಗಾಪುರದ ತುಳುವೆರ್ ತಂಡವು ಆಗಸ್ಟ್ 03, 2025 ರಂದು ಭವ್ಯವಾಗಿ “ಆಟಿದೊಂಜಿ ದಿನ”ವನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಿತು. ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ತುಳುವ ಸಮುದಾಯದ ಸದಸ್ಯರು ಉತ್ಸಾಹಭರಿತ ಆಟಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿ, ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೃದಯದಿಂದ ಮಾತುಕತೆ ನಡೆಸಿದರು. ವಿವಿಧ ರೀತಿಯ ಸಾಂಪ್ರದಾಯಿಕ ತುಳು ಆಹಾರಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ರುಚಿಕರವಾದ ಅನುಭವವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದವು.
ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಆಕರ್ಷಣೆ “ಹಗ್ಗ ಜಗ್ಗಾಟ” ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರಿಂದ ಭರ್ಜರಿ ಚಪ್ಪಾಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆದಿತು. ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಹಾಸ್ಯಮಯ ಆಟ “ಕೋಳಿ ಓಟ” ಆಗಿತ್ತು, ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದವರು ಮತ್ತು ನೋಡಿದವರು ಸಮಾನವಾಗಿ ಆನಂದಿಸಿದರು.
ವಿಜೇತರಿಗೆ ಬಹುಮಾನಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿ ಗೌರವಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಉತ್ಸಾಹ, ಮಿತ್ರತೆ ಮತ್ತು ನಮ್ಮ ತುಳು ಪರಂಪರೆಯ ಸೊಗಡನ್ನು ಒಟ್ಟುಗೂಡಿಸಿದ ಈ “ಆಟಿದೊಂಜಿ ದಿನ” ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಮರೆಯಲಾರದ ನೆನಪುಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿತು.
English Version
The Tuluver team in Singapore grandly celebrated “Aatidonji Dina” on 3rd August 2025. During the event, members of the Tulu community participated in lively games, met each other, and had heartfelt conversations. A variety of traditional Tulu dishes provided a delicious experience for everyone.
The main attraction of the event, the ‘tug-of-war,’ received thunderous applause from the audience. Another humorous game was the ‘chicken run,’ which was equally enjoyed by both participants and spectators.
Winners were honored with prizes. This “Aatidonji Dina,” which brought together enthusiasm, camaraderie, and the essence of our Tulu heritage, created unforgettable memories for everyone.
Aati: A Tulu Cultural Tradition
Aati, the fourth month in the Tulu calendar, corresponds to the months of July and August. It is a time of heavy monsoon rains in the Tulu Nadu region (parts of Karnataka and Kerala, India) and is traditionally considered a “forbidden” or inauspicious month for major events like weddings and housewarmings.
Despite its association with hardship, Aati is a deeply significant period rich with unique traditions and practices that highlight the resilience and resourcefulness of the Tulu people. These customs are rooted in the agricultural lifestyle and the need to stay healthy during the monsoon season when there is a higher risk of diseases and limited mobility.
Key Traditions
- Aati Amavasya: The new moon day of Aati is a particularly important observance. On this day, Tulu families traditionally drink a bitter medicinal concoction called “Paleda Kashaya” (made from the bark of the Devil Tree or Alstonia scholaris). This is believed to purify the body, build immunity, and ward off ailments for the rest of the year.
- Aati Kalenja: This is a ritualistic folk dance performed by the Nalike community. A dancer, dressed as the benevolent spirit Kalenja, wears a costume made of tender coconut fronds and other natural materials. Accompanied by a drummer, the dancer goes from house to house, performing a ritual to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity and health to the family and their cattle. The spirit is believed to descend to Earth to protect people from diseases common during the monsoon.
- Aati Kullunu: This custom involved newly married women returning to their maternal homes for the month of Aati. This practice gave them a much-needed break from the strenuous household and agricultural work in their marital homes and strengthened the bond between mother and daughter.
Cuisine and Modern Celebrations
The cuisine during Aati is a central part of the tradition, focusing on locally grown, nutrient-rich plants and vegetables that thrive in the monsoon. Dishes are prepared using ingredients like bamboo shoots (kanile), wild bitter gourd (paagile), and various wild greens. Many of these foods are believed to have medicinal properties that help the body combat seasonal illnesses.
In modern times, while the traditional practices may have waned, the spirit of Aati is kept alive through community events and festivals known as “Aatidonji Dina” (One Day of Aati). These celebrations feature traditional food festivals, cultural performances, and traditional games, providing a platform to preserve and pass on this unique heritage to younger generations.
