Mangaluru Rain Festival: Pilikula Nisargadhama drenched in the best of Tulunadu

Mangaluru: The Rain Festival at Pilikula saw people including Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim reliving their childhood days. They played traditional rural games, tasted traditional food and also participated in various competitions and exhibitions at the Haat at Pilikula here on Sunday.

After the success of the Fish Carnival and Vasantotsav, Dr Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisargadhama organised this unique Rain festival on Sunday. Various rural games like Lagori, Chenne Mane, and Kunte Bille attracted many people. Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim along with theatre artist Naveen D Padil, Kannada Sahitya Parishad district president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura and others were seen enjoying the game of Lagori.

A farmer explains natural rain gear at a stall

“These are traditional games which our elders used to play especially during the monsoon. This is an effort to introduce the games to our younger generation,” Okkuta honorary president Vijaylakshmi Shetty told Deccan Chronicle. One of the main attractions was painting art on umbrellas. Students of Swaroopa painted various designs on umbrellas and exhibited them during the event.

Visitors enjoy chenne mane, a traditional game at Pilikula Nisargadhama in Mangaluru (Photo: DC)

The event saw food items of Tulunadu including some specifically cooked during the rainy season on offer. Traditional dishes like Patrode, Pelakai Gatti and gendadappa were served by Yashoda M and Yashoda Salian of Vigneshwara Seva Samithi of Bondantila. Rotary Club of Mangaluru planted about 100 saplings in the premises.