Tuluvas Aati Month/Reports
The Tuluvas Aati Month project aimed to document, preserve, and promote the cultural and ecological importance of the Aati season in Tulunadu. Through collaboration with local communities, scholars, and cultural practitioners, the project successfully revived and celebrated various aspects of Aati traditions. These included Aati Kalenja, Aati month rituals, Bootha Kola, Aati Amavase, Kaapu Deepuna, traditional Aati food cuisines, as well as folk games and sports. The initiative involved detailed photographic documentation, cinematic recordings, and interviews, resulting in a comprehensive archive of the rituals, attire, and practices unique to this tradition. This report outlines the project’s objectives, methods, outcomes, and recommendations for future initiatives.
Introduction
[edit]Tulunadu is the name given to the coastal region of Karnataka. Within this miniature version of India, various communities and religions coexist. They share an intrinsic connection with regional traditions, culture, and a way of life. This region showcases a complex tapestry of behaviors, rituals, beliefs, traditions, and entertainment. It is imperative to grasp the significance, nature, and structure of these practices in order to comprehend their purpose within the traditional Tuluva community.
The Aati month, which occurs during the monsoon season in Tulunadu, holds great cultural importance due to its unique rituals and practices designed to ward off evils and bring prosperity. Despite its rich history, many of these traditions are at risk of disappearing. Recognizing this, the Karavali Wikimedians User Group led a project to revive and document these practices, ensuring they are preserved for future generations. The project focused on engaging with local communities, documenting their knowledge, and sharing it with a global audience through digital platforms.
Team for Documentation
[edit]- Bharathesha Alasandemajalu - Programme Coordinator, overseeing the comprehensive implementation and reporting of the project. As a former member of the Karnataka State Arebhashe Samskriti Mattu Sahithya Academy, he brought forward the innovative idea of systematically documenting cultural heritage, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations.
- Dr. Vishwanatha Badikana - Responsible for Community Outreach & Partnerships.- He is a professor and folklorist.
- Mr Chidananda Kampa - Responsible for coordinating with Artists and other work - he will be in charge of photography
- Dr Kishore Kumar Rai Sheni - Principal, Nalanda College Perla, Folklorist.
- Vinodh Mamatha Rai - Wikimedians and Local Organizer
- Yakshitha - A dedicated Wikimedian, serving as the Local Organizer and Report Maker, contributing to the seamless coordination and documentation of the project.
- Annop Rao - Jury and Technical Support Team
- Ashay - Tech support Team and Media
- Anvith - Responsible for editing and other work
- Members of the Karavali Wikimedians User Group team will help implement this proposal.
Initial Activities
[edit]As an initial step (prior to video and photo documentation), it is crucial to document all theoretical references related to Aati month and gather insights from experts to ensure they are accessible to the entire team.
Documentary Team along with Videography Team
[edit]- Vishwanatha Badikana
- Yadupathi Gowda
- Yakshitha
- Vinoda Mamatha Rai
- Diva Kokkada
- Chidananda Kampa
- Ashay Badikana
- Anvith Badikana
- Akhilesh Nagumugam
- Ajay Yadav
- Sujith Mugerody
- Chandrashekara Bandaru
- Kirana Alasandemajalu
- Bharathesha Alasandemajalu
Various performing Documentation
[edit]Documentation of various performing arts has been conducted in over 20 locations across Tulunadu, capturing the rich diversity of traditional art forms. Geographically, the documentation spans two districts—Kasaragod in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka—and includes the taluks of Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady, Moodabidri, and Kasaragod. Notable traditions documented include Aati Kalenja, Bedan, Mardan, and Rahu Agel, showcasing the vibrant cultural heritage of the region.
Tuluvas Aati Month Full Video
[edit]This videography covers approximately 80% of our documentation process and features over 30 minutes of footage that beautifully captures the essence of Tuluva's Aati month.
Education Wiki Program
[edit]
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.
To enhance understanding and engagement, recorded videos showcasing rituals and traditional practices were presented, followed by in-depth discussions on their cultural significance. The session also educated participants about the deep-rooted folk tales, folk songs, and the underlying ideas behind the folk dance traditions. With over 15 active participants, this session emphasized the importance of digital preservation as a powerful tool for sustaining cultural practices. The event primarily engaged Wikimedia communities from Mangalore, fostering a collaborative environment that laid the groundwork for subsequent activities in the project.
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.
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.
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.
Executive Summary
[edit]The Tuluvas Aati Month project was initiated with the goal of documenting, preserving, and promoting the cultural and ecological significance of the Aati season in Tulunadu, a coastal region in Karnataka. The Aati month holds cultural importance due to its unique rituals, performances, and traditional practices that have been passed down through generations. However, these traditions were at risk of fading due to changing societal dynamics and lack of proper documentation. Recognizing the urgency to preserve this heritage, the Karavali Wikimedians User Group spearheaded this project to ensure that Aati traditions are kept alive for future generations.
The project involved a collaborative effort with local communities, cultural practitioners, scholars, and the Wikimedia community to document various aspects of Aati Month, including rituals like Aati Kalenja, Bootha Kola, Kaapu Deepuna, and the distinctive folk games and food. Over the course of the project, the team conducted extensive photographic and videographic documentation, capturing the rich diversity of these traditions across 20 locations in Tulunadu, spanning districts in both Karnataka and Kerala.
In addition to documentation, the project aimed to engage local communities through educational programs. Key initiatives included a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon at St. Aloysius University, an MoU signing and cultural demonstration at SDM College, Ujire, and a community engagement event at Puduvettu, Belthangady. These efforts successfully raised awareness about the significance of Aati traditions and the importance of digital preservation.
Key outcomes of the project include the creation of a comprehensive archive of Aati rituals and practices, increased local participation in the preservation of their cultural heritage, and the use of digital platforms like Wikipedia to make these traditions accessible to a global audience.
The project was led by a dedicated team, including experts in folklore, photography, and digital archiving, and involved active participation from local artists, scholars, and community members. The project’s success has contributed significantly to the preservation of Tuluva cultural heritage and highlighted the importance of digital platforms in safeguarding intangible cultural practices.
Future recommendations for the continuation of this initiative include expanding the scope of documentation, fostering sustained community engagement, and ensuring that these traditions remain a vibrant part of the Tuluva identity for generations to come.
References
[edit]- WWikimedians lead effort to revive Tulu ritual, Times of India, Deepthi Sanjiv, Oct 30, 2024, 23:03 IST
- Reviving Tuluvas’ Aati Month: Saving the Endangered Mugera Aati Kalenja Tradition
- Preserving Heritage: Tuluvas Aati Month Educational Wikimedia Programs
External links
[edit]
Media related to Category:Tuluvas Aati Month at Wikimedia Commons
| Target outcome | Achieved outcome | Explanation |
| Number of Communities to be Visited 2 | Number of Communities to be Visited 11 | Explored over eight diverse communities within the region |
| Number of field Visits 2 | Number of field Visits 20 | Conducting eight pre-documentary surveys and 18 documentary field visits across diverse locations, including Belthangady, Sullia, Moodabidre, Kasaragod, Vitla, and Puttur, with a primary focus on engaging in scholarly discussions and expert consultations. |
| Number of participants - 50 | Number of participants - 1000 | Explored over 15 locations, with active participation from more than 1,000 individuals, including local villagers, artists, scholars, and experts, contributing to the richness and success of the event." |
| Number of editors 2 | Number of editors 12 | |
| Number of organizers 3 | Number of organizers 5 | |
| Wikipedia Article 50 | Wikipedia Article 300 | |
| Wikimedia Commons Photographs 300 | Wikimedia Commons Photographs 2000 | Uploaded quality photographs to Wikimedia Commons |
| Wikimedia Commons Video 5 | Wikimedia Commons Video 20 |