Karavali Wikimedians/Annual Report 2024
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Major Milestones Achieved by Karavali Wikimedians
[edit]Tulu Wiktionary: A Comprehensive Dictionary
[edit]The launch of Tulu Wiktionary is a landmark achievement in preserving and promoting the Tulu language. Hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, this digital dictionary provides a comprehensive resource of Tulu words, meanings, and usage, ensuring the language’s accessibility to a global audience. This milestone is the result of six years of dedicated efforts by Karavali and Tulu Wikimedians.
The project began in 2018, inspired by the introduction of Mangalore University’s postgraduate course in Tulu. This academic milestone sparked efforts to create a digital platform to preserve Tulu’s rich vocabulary and strengthen its online presence. Tulu Wiktionary now serves as a crucial tool for ensuring the language thrives in the digital age.
Tulu Wikisource: A Repository of Literary Works
[edit]The Tulu Wikisource platform, on the other hand, acts as a repository for Tulu’s literary works. It includes a variety of texts—from folk literature to contemporary writings—preserving these works in digital format. This initiative ensures that Tulu literature is not only safeguarded but also accessible to a broader audience. By creating an online archive, these works can be studied, shared, and appreciated by both Tulu speakers and those interested in the language's rich literary tradition.
Revealing the essence of Tuluvas Aati Month
[edit]Aati, the sacred month in the Tulu calendar, holds profound cultural and spiritual significance within the Tuluva community. Celebrated during the monsoon season, Aati is not just a time for rituals and traditions, but a reflection of the deep bond between the people and nature. This month is marked by unique practices, folklore, and a sense of reverence that showcases the Tuluva identity.
The Aati month is characterized by several sacred traditions, with one of the most notable being the Aati Kalenja dance. Performed to invoke blessings and ward off negative energies, this ancient dance form is a way for the community to stay connected to spiritual forces and natural elements. Beyond rituals, the month is also a time for the consumption of traditional herbal remedies and special foods, which are believed to strengthen immunity and maintain good health, particularly during the rainy season. These foods and medicines hold much symbolic value, often derived from local flora.
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Aatikalanja chatra -
Muger Aati Kalenja and villegers -
Marde , Tuluvas Aati Month Documentary -
Mugera Aati Kalenja and Performance
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See also: c:Tuluvas Aati Month
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Cultural PreservationTo ensure the preservation of Aati traditions and pass them down to future generations, dedicated efforts have been made by cultural enthusiasts. One such initiative is led by the Karavali Wikimedians—a group committed to documenting and reviving Aati practices, including folk performances, oral traditions, and the knowledge associated with the month. The project has successfully highlighted various aspects of Aati Month through articles, photographs, and videos uploaded to Wikimedia Commons, showcasing the region's heritage to a wider audience.
Competitions and EngagementThe initiative also included competitions such as article writing contests in the Kannada and Tulu languages on Wikipedia, as well as a photo-uploading competition on Wikimedia Commons. These competitions allowed individuals from across the community to contribute content that reflects the cultural richness of Aati, from detailed articles to captivating photographs. By fostering participation, these competitions have further promoted awareness and celebration of Aati Month.
Tuluvas Aati Month Educational Wikimedia ProgramsAs part of the Tuluvas Aati Month Project, the Karavali Wikimedians User Group conducted four Wiki education programs, creating a bridge between the Wikimedia community, academia, and local people. This initiative, supported by the Wikimedia Foundation, embarked on a transformative journey to preserve and document the cultural heritage of Tulunadu during the Aati month. Spanning December 2024 to January 2025, the project aimed to educate diverse audiences on the unique traditions, rituals, and practices of the Tuluva community.  The project began with a foundational event at the AJ Grand Elite Hotel in Mangalore, marking the formal initiation of the comprehensive documentation effort focused on preserving the diverse aspects of Tulu culture during Aati month. This event served as an educational platform for the Wikimedia community, introducing participants to the project’s objectives, progress updates, and future plans. In the first week of January 2025, the project hosted a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at St. Aloysius Deemed to be University. This event empowered students to contribute to Wikipedia by creating and enhancing articles on Tulu culture, with a special focus on Aati month traditions. Ten enthusiastic students participated in the two-day initiative, dedicating their efforts to improving the quality and accessibility of Tulu cultural content. Guided by experts, the participants created well-researched and structured articles, gaining hands-on experience in Wikipedia editing. The Edit-a-thon combined cultural preservation with digital literacy, inspiring students to become active contributors to the global knowledge ecosystem. The project extended its outreach to grassroots communities through a documentation demonstration held at Aranya Bhavana in Melinadka, Puduvettu. This event aimed to actively involve local folk artists and residents in preserving their cultural heritage while introducing them to digital literacy and the Wikimedia movement. Bharathesha Alasandemajalu opened the session by outlining the project’s vision and goals, setting the tone for the day. Dr. Vishwanatha Badikana followed with an inspiring talk on the importance of living heritage and its role in community identity. Folk artist Vijeth Maithadka and Dr. Kishore Kumar Rai Sheni contributed valuable insights into traditional Tulu practices, further enriching the discussions. The event concluded with interactive sessions that encouraged local artists and community members, including children and women, to take an active role in preserving and sharing their cultural identity. The initiative emphasized digital preservation, showcasing how Wikimedia platforms can serve as powerful tools for sustaining cultural practices. Participants also shared a meal, fostering a sense of community and inclusiveness. This hands-on approach not only educated attendees about the Wikimedia movement but also made the experience relatable and accessible to all.
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MOU Signing and Cultural Demonstration at SDM College, Ujire
[edit]A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the SDM College(Autonomous), Ujire and the Karavali Wikimedians User Group, symbolizing a formal partnership to promote Tulu culture through academic collaboration.
The program featured an enlightening talk by Dr. Sundar Kenaje, a distinguished folklorist, who highlighted the critical need to preserve intangible cultural heritage. Following this, cultural documentation demonstrations were conducted by Bharathesha Alasandemajalu and Dr. Vishwanatha Badikana, who showcased the process of recording Aati month rituals and traditions. More than 60 postgraduate students from Kananda language and journalism departments actively participated, showcasing enthusiasm and motivation to join the Wikimedia movement.
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MoU with SDM College(Autonomous), Ujire and Karavali Wikimedians User Group -
Inaugral function at SDM College, Ujire -
Education and Cultural Demonstration to PG students at SDM College, Ujire
Karavali Wikimedians Meetups
[edit]| Date | Type | Location | Notes |
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| 3 January 2025 | Online Meetup | ||
| 6 December 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 16 October 2024 | Executive Committee Online Meetup | ||
| 13 October 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 6 September 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 17 August 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 17 August 2024 | Executive Committee Online Meetup | ||
| 20 June 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 23 May 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 3 May 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 12 April 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 15 March 2024 | Offline Meetup | Mangaluru | |
| 8 March 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 9 February 2024 | Online Meetup | ||
| 12 January 2024 | Online Meetup |
Events - Wokshop - Edit a than
[edit]- Wiktionary Workshop, 26 January 2025
- Karavali Wikimedians/Events/Tuluvas Aati Month Document Demonstration at Puduvettu, Belthangady, 14 January 2025
- Tuluvas Aati Month Document Demonstration and MOU Signing at SDM College Ujire - January 11, 2025
- Tuluvas Aati Month - Wikipedia Edit-a-than at St Aloysius Deemed to be University on 4th and 5th Jan. 2025
- Tuluvas Aati Month Documentaion, AJ Grand Elite Hotel, Yekkur, Mangalore, 25 Dec 2025
- Wikisource: Intership Program - Kannada Wikisource: Intership Program
- Wiki Loves Mangaluru 2024 - Photo Walk, 26 May 2024
- Wiki Loves Feminism And Folklore 2024
- Wikipedia Workshop at SDMCBM College
- Wikipedia Workshop at Besant Women's College
- Wikipedia Workshop at Canara College
- Movement Charter Discourses phase 3, April 2024
- Navigating Wiki-Sphere, Alva's Wikipedia Association
Language workshop focused on Wiktionary
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The Karavali Wikimedians User Group successfully organized a Kannada/tuli language workshop focused on Wiktionary. The event was designed to promote digital tools for language preservation and provide a platform for participants to gain insights into Wiktionary’s functionality and its role in linguistic documentation. The workshop also highlighted the upcoming launch of the Tulu Wiktionary and explored the integration of the Wikimedia Education Program. Learn Lingua Libre tool to uopload the words to Wikicommons.
Wikipedia Asian Month
[edit]Wikipedia Asian Month (WAM) is an annual online campaign held every November to enhance and expand Asian content on Wikipedia. This global initiative transcends Asian communities, inviting participation from various language-specific Wikipedias and Wikimedia Foundation project websites. Additionally, WAM encourages local organizers to conduct associated events to promote cultural exchange and awareness.
The Karavali Wikimedians User Group actively participated in Wikipedia Asian Month 2024, contributing significantly to the campaign in both Kannada and Tulu languages. Members of the user group showcased their dedication by creating over 150 articles in each language.
Wikisource Intership Program
[edit]The Wiki Internship Program 2024 was a one-month internship initiative designed to engage college students with Kannada Wikimedia projects. Organized by Coastal Wikimedians in collaboration with CIS-A2K, the program focused on providing hands-on training in Wikimedia projects, with a special emphasis on Wikisource.
Students from St. Aloysius College actively participated in the program. Mr. Anoop Rao served as a mentor, while Dr. Vishwanatha Badikana co-organized the initiative. Eight participants actively engaged in the program, successfully completing work on more than six books for Wikisource. Their contributions were supported by six online workshops, which provided skill development and project guidance. At the end of the program, participants received certificates in recognition of their efforts and achievements.
Wiki Loves Mangalore
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Wiki Loves Mangaluru 2024 is a vibrant photography competition organized by Wikimedia to document and celebrate the rich cultural and natural heritage of Mangaluru. This initiative invites photographers from all backgrounds to contribute images showcasing the city’s unique charm and diversity. The competition aims to enhance Wikimedia Commons with high-quality visuals of Mangaluru’s landmarks, traditions, and everyday life. Iconic locations such as Aloysius Chapel, Milagres Chapel, Ullal Masjid, Someshwara Temple, Karinjeshwara Hills, Pilikula, and Panambur Beach were beautifully captured during the event. The competition saw active participation from over 14 community members, resulting in the collection of more than 1,000 stunning photographs.
Wiki Loves Folklore 2024
[edit]Tulu Wikimedians actively participated in the prestigious Wiki Loves Folklore 2024, a global competition aimed at documenting and celebrating diverse cultural traditions worldwide. Demonstrating their dedication to preserving and promoting folklore, six enthusiastic members from the Tulu Wikimedia community contributed significantly to the initiative.
Their combined efforts resulted in the creation of over 148 articles in Tulu Wikipedia, enriching the global knowledge repository with valuable information about folklore and cultural heritage. This remarkable achievement underscores the commitment of Tulu Wikimedians to bringing regional traditions and stories to a broader audience.
Wikipedia Workshop - SDMCBM
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The Karavali Wikimedians User Group, in collaboration with the Department of Computer Applications at Sri Dharmastala Manjunatheshwara College of Business Management, Mangaluru, and the Centre for Internet and Society, Access to Knowledge (CIS-A2K), Bengaluru, organized a one-day national-level Wikipedia workshop titled “SDM-Neophyte: Unlocking Knowledge, Igniting Curiosity” on March 16, 2024. The workshop aimed to introduce participants to Wikipedia editing, creating new articles, translating content, improving existing articles, and using templates effectively.
Wikipedia Workshop - Besant Women's College
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On March 6, 2024, a one-day workshop titled “SheEdits: Women Editing Wikipedia” was held at Besant Women’s College, Mangaluru, in collaboration with the Karavali Wikimedians User Group, CIS/A2K, and the SheLeads initiative to commemorate International Women’s Day. The workshop introduced students to the importance of Wikipedia, with a focus on Karavali languages, and emphasized how contributing to the platform can enhance personal and academic growth.
Wikipedia Workshop - Canara College
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The Karavali Wikimedians User Group, in collaboration with Canara College, Mangaluru, and CIS/A2K, Bengaluru, organized a two-day Wikipedia workshop titled "Wiki-Journey: Beginner's Path to Wiki-Proficiency" on February 24 and 25, 2024, at the Computer Laboratory of Canara College. The workshop aimed to introduce students to the functions and significance of Wikipedia, particularly in the context of regional languages like Tulu. Participants were encouraged to explore how contributing to Wikipedia could enhance both their personal and academic growth while promoting local knowledge and culture. The workshop was a resounding success, offering students valuable insights into the platform's role in knowledge sharing and digital collaboration. With enthusiastic support from expert speakers, the Karavali Wikimedians team, and the college administration, the event inspired many students to actively engage with Wikipedia. It is anticipated that this initiative will ignite a lasting interest among students in contributing to Wikipedia, fostering a culture of learning and knowledge dissemination within the community.
Movement Charter Discourses Phase 3
[edit]The Karavali Wikimedians User Group conducted Movement Charter discourses as part of the Movement Strategy and Governance initiative. These sessions aimed to ensure the representation of KVL Kannada and the Tulu community in the Movement-wide Movement Charter consultations and feedback processes. To facilitate better understanding of the Movement Charter Drafting Committee (MCDC), its terminology, and the Movement Strategy 2030, the discussions were translated into Kannada and Tulu, ensuring accessibility and clarity for all participants.
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AMovement Charter Discourses Phase 3
Navigating Wiki-Sphere, Alva's Wikipedia Association
[edit]The Wikipedia Student Association of Alva’s College, Moodubidire, in collaboration with the Karavali Wikimedians User Group and CIS-A2K, Bengaluru, successfully organized a training and internship program under the "She Leads" Project. This initiative aimed to empower students by equipping them with skills to contribute to Wikimedia projects and develop their leadership potential.
More than 10 enthusiastic students from Alva’s College actively participated in the program.
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Alva's Wikipedia Association
Participation in Conferences
[edit]Karavali Wikimedians User Group actively engaged in significant Wikimedia events to strengthen its presence within the global and Indic Wikimedia communities. Bharathesha Alasandemajalu, representing the group, attended the Wikimedia Summit 2024 in Berlin as a delegate. This event brought together Wikimedia affiliates, contributors, and stakeholders worldwide to discuss innovative practices, share experiences, and strategize for advancing Wikimedia projects.
In addition to the summit, He participated in pre- and post-Summit events co-organized by CIS-A2K, aimed at fostering collaboration within the Indic Wikimedia ecosystem. These included the Wikimedia India Summit 2024, held in New Delhi on March 23–24, 2024, and the India Strategy Meet, organized in Mohali on June 28–29, 2024. Both events provided valuable platforms for discussions, workshops, and strategic planning to strengthen the Indic Wikimedia community.
These engagements have been instrumental in building networks, exchanging ideas, and effectively representing the Tulu and Kannada communities. They also allowed the Karavali Wikimedians User Group to contribute meaningfully to the Movement Strategy 2030.
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Wikimedia Summit 2024 -
Wikimedia Summit 2024 group photo -
Attendees of Wikimedia India Summit 2024
During the summit, Bharathesha also engaged in meaningful dialogues with fellow Wikimedians, emphasizing the challenges and opportunities of working with underrepresented languages like Tulu. He shared the Karavali Wikimedians’ experience in mobilizing community participation, overcoming technological barriers, and utilizing Wikimedia tools like Wikisource, Wikimedia Commons, and OpenRefine to preserve cultural heritage.
Wiki Technical Training 2024
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The Wiki Technical Training 2024, held in Chennai, was designed to enhance the technical skills of experienced Wikimedians, particularly those contributing to language and theme-based projects. The program aimed to empower participants with the essential knowledge needed to navigate Wikimedia's technical spaces effectively. Key topics included an introduction to MediaWiki and Phabricator, importing templates/modules from other wikis, and training on established tools used for events and community engagement.
From the Karavali Wikimedians User Group, Yakshitha and Bharathesha Alasandemajalu actively participated in the training. Their involvement highlights the group's commitment to advancing technical expertise among its members to improve contributions to Wikimedia projects. This initiative is expected to bolster the participants' ability to support their communities with advanced technical skills, further enriching Wikimedia's ecosystem.
Train The Trainer 2024
[edit]Three participants Hariprasad Shetty, Ashay vb, & Vinoda mamatharai from Karavali Wikimedians attended the ninth Train-the-Trainer (TTT) event at Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 19th to 20th October 2024. The Odia Wikimedians User Group co-hosted the event with the support of CIS-A2K.
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Attendees of Trainer the Trainer 2024, Bhubaneswar
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3nd Wikimedia Technology Summit
[edit]Seven members from the Karavali Wikimedians User Group—Pavanaja, Bharathesha Alasandemajalu, Santhosh Notagar, Hariprasad Shetty, Babitha, Kavitha and Yakshitha—attended the 3rd Wikimedia Technology Summit held in Hyderabad.
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3rd Wikimedia Technology Summit (WTS 2024) Group Photo
Colleges and institutes
[edit]- St Aloysius College(Autonomous) Mangaluru, Wikipedia Student Association
- Alva's College, Moodubidire, Wikipedia Student Association
- Canara College, Mangaluru, Wikipedia Student Association
- Dr G Shankar Govt. Women's First Grade College & Post Graduate Study Centre, Udupi Student Association
- Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College(Autonomous), Ujire
Diff Article
[edit]- Launching Tulu Wiktionary: A Milestone for Tulu Language and Culture
- Welcoming Tulu Wikisource!
- Reviving Tuluvas Aati Month: Saving the Endangered Mugera Aati Kalenja Tradition
- Using Wikipedia as a Platform to Enhance Cognitive Skills: A Trailblazing Study
- Kannada Wikisource: Recent Activity
Note
[edit]- Tulu Wiktionary, Tulu Wikisource go live The Hindu, Ravi Kamila, Oct 30, 2024
- Tulu Wikipedia more than doubles in size in seven years The Hindu, Ravi Kamila, March 29, 2024
- Tulu Wiktionary, Wikisource go live: A major milestone for Tulu language, culture Daijiworld, Oct 31, 2024
- Tulu language gets a digital boost wiktionary and wikisource platforms go live
- ತುಳು ವಿಕ್ಷನರಿ, ವಿಕಿಸೋರ್ಸ್ ಲೈವ್ ಆರಂಭ
- Tulu Language: ತುಳು ಭಾಷೆಯ ಮತ್ತೊಂದು ಮೈಲಿಗಲ್ಲು; ವಿಕ್ಷನರಿ, ವಿಕಿಸೋರ್ಸ್ ಲೈವ್!
- Tulu, Kannada ambassador Bharathesha to represent Wikimedia Summit 2024
- Puttur man selected for Wikimedia Summit Times of India, Apr 9, 2024
- Wikimedians lead effort to revive Tulu ritual, Times of India, Deepthi Sanjiv, Oct 30, 2024, 23:03 IST