Mangalore: ‘Dakshina Kannada district must learn to follow the culture of communal harmony, which is being followed religiously in Kerala’ alleged District in-charge minister B. Ramanath Rai during the Onam festival organized by Kerala Samajam, here in the city on Sunday, September 14.

Ramanath Rai said that the festival of Onam stands for communal harmony. Without the differences of religion, caste and creed, the people of Kerala celebrate this festival, wherever they are.

Drawing similarities between the customs of Dakshina Kannada and Kerala, he said that both the region have many things in common. Our food is the same. If Kathakali is part of your tradition, Yakshagana is indispensable in our district. But, our district lacks behind only in communal harmony, he said adding that the district had to learn this value from the people of Kerala.

He pointed out that the Kerala state established Kala Mandali in order to popularize Kathakali. But for various reasons, Karnataka government has very little to popularize Yakshagana. We wanted a separate academy for Yakshagana. But this did not see light of the day, he rued.

State minister D.K. Shivkumar said that the contribution of Kerala is immense everywhere, especially in foreign exchange. Besides, he also said that the very history of India and its rich tradition is our asset.

Mangalore South MLA J.R Lobo said that the people of Kerala who took the challenge of cultivating rubber in the forests, when no man dared to do it in the district.

The celebration witnessed the presence of minister Abhayachandra Jain, Vinaykumar Sorake, U.T Kadher, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and Mohiudeen Bawa. A.J. Shetty, Gokulam Gopalan, T.R Rajan, president of Kerala Samajam shared the dais.

Pookalam (traditional flower arrangement) and classical dance was part of the event.