Mangaluru: Former Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi, and Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru – B. A. Vivek Rai explained that ‘Bisu’ symbolizes rejuvenation of the agricultural tradition as people observed the he ‘Bisu kani’ (arrangement of fruits, vegetables, rice, tubers) on Tuesday.
He was addressing a gathering along with important delegates of the city such as P.I. Sreevidya, Chief Executive Officer, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, and Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, Commissioner, Mangaluru City Corporation, Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D.
Rai said Bisu symbolized the beginning of New Year for Tulu-speaking people. Whoever had paddy fields, tilled the land symbolically to signify the sowing when rains start after a month. The youth take blessings from elders on the day, he said.
He mentioned that though people in urban areas have moved away from agriculture, even in urban areas within the available space they could grow vegetables and fruits to keep the farm culture alive.
The function took place in the open courtyard at the Guttina Mane (traditional manor house) at Dr. Shivaram Karanth Pilikula Nisargadhama. Locally grown vegetables such as brinjal, cucumber, sambar southe, cheeni kai, ivy gourd and fruits such as jackfruit, banana, cashew apple, coconut, jambu nerale, mango, kokum, hebbalasu — which is very rare now, bread fruit among others were presented. Arecanut, the part and parcel of local life, was also part of the kani.
Later, all had a grand meal in the nadu mane (sheltered area around the courtyard). The menu included southe sambar, mavina hannu sasive, badane bolu huli, holige, payasa, banana podi, bread fruit podi, mullu southe gatti, moode, and playa, among others.
Officials of the nisargadhama, including H.J. Bhandary, director, Pilikula Biological Park, S.A. Prabhakara Sharma, Executive Director of the nisargadhama, were attired in the traditional dress of white dhoti and white shirt. According to Mr. Sharma, Bisu was organised publicly for the first time at the nisargadhama. A rangoli competition was also held.
