Culture of Mangalore

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mangalore (IPA:\ˈmaŋ-gə-ˌlȯr\; Kannada: ಮಂಗಳೂರು, Mangalūru; Tulu: Kudla, ಕುಡ್ಲ; Konkani: Kodial, ಕೊಡಿಯಾಲ್; Beary: Maikala, ಮೈಕಲ) pronunciation (help·info) is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. A resident of Mangalore is known as a Mangalorean in English, Kudladaru in Tulu, Kodialgharano in Catholic Konkani, Kodialchi or Manglurchi in GSB Konkani and Manglurnavaru in Kannada.

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[edit] Infrastructure

The Jyothi Talkies is a popular cinema theatre in Mangalore
The Jyothi Talkies is a popular cinema theatre in Mangalore
A typical Yakshagana artist
A typical Yakshagana artist

The Srimanthi Bai Museum, which is located at Bejai, is the only museum of Mangalore.[1] The Bibliophile's Paradise, a hi-tech public library run by the Corporation Bank, is located at Mannagudda.[2] The Mangala Stadium, which is the only full-fledged stadium in Dakshina Kannada, is located in Mangalore.[3]

[edit] Practices

The Yakshagana is a night-long dance and drama performance practiced in Mangalore with great fanfare.[4][5] Hulivesha (Tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in the city fascinating the young and the old alike, which is performed during Dasara and Krishna Janmashtami.[6] Karadi Vesha (Bear Dance) is one more popular dance performed during Dasara in Mangalore.[7] Bhuta Kola or spirit worship, which is usually done at night is practised here. Kambala or buffalo race is conducted in water filled paddy fields. Korikatta (Cockfight) is another favourite sport for the people. Nagaradhane or Snake worship is practised in the city according to the popular belief of the Naga Devatha to go underground and guard the species on the top.[8]

Pad'danas (Oral Epics) which are ballad-like folk epics narrated in Tulu are sung by the community of impersonators together with the rhythmic beats.[7] Some of the popular Beary songs are kolkai (sung during the play of kolata), unjal pat (sung while putting a child to cradle), moilanji pat and oppune pat (sung at weddings).[9] The Eucharistic Procession is an annual Catholic religious procession led on the first Sunday of the New Year of the Gregorian calendar.[7]

[edit] Festivals

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year by erecting statues, worshipping them and immersing them in water bodies. Kodial Theru or Mangaluru Rathotsava (Mangalore Car Festival) is one of the major festivals of the GSB community, which celebrates the car festival of the Sri Venkatramana Temple.[10] Monti Fest is one of the major festivals of the Mangalorean Catholic community, celebrating the Nativity feast and the blessing of new crops.[11] The Jain Milan, a committee comprising of the Jain families of Mangalore, organise the Jain Food Festival annually with a view to bring together all the members of the Jain community.[12] People of all faiths participate in the Mosaru Kudike, which is a part of the celebrations to mark the Krishna Janmashtami festival.[13] Annual festivals are promoted during summer each year, to promote Karavali Utsav and Kudlostava which encourages the local cultural events. In 2006, the Tulu film festival was organized in Mangalore.[14]

[edit] Cuisine

Neer dosa, a variant of dosa is native to Mangalore
Neer dosa, a variant of dosa is native to Mangalore

Mangalorean cuisine is largely influenced by South Indian cuisine. Mangalorean curry uses a lot of coconut and curry leaves. Ginger, garlic and chili is also used in curry. Mangalorean fish curry is known for its taste in the whole of Canara. Dishes of the Tulu community include Kori Rotti, Bangude Pulimunchi, Beeja-Manoli Upkari, Neer dosa, Boothai Gasi, Kadubu, and Patrode. The Konkani community has its specialities that include Daali thoy, beebe-upkari (cashew based), val val, avnas ambe sasam, Kadgi chakko. The Sanna-Dukra Maas (Sanna – idli fluffed with toddy or yeast; Dukra Maas – Pork) of the Mangalorean Catholics and the Mutton Biryani of the Mangalorean Muslims are well-known dishes. An assortment of pickles like happala, sandige and puli munchi are unique to Mangalore. Shendi (toddy), a country liquor prepared from the coconut flower's sap is a well-known liquor of Mangalore.[7] The vegetarian cuisine is same as Udupi cuisine. Since Mangalore is a coastal town, Fish forms the staple diet of most people.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Srimanthi Bai Museum is in a shambles. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-01-21.
  2. ^ Raviprasad Kamila. It's a treasure of books. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Minister keen on improving sports infrastructure. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  4. ^ Yakshagana. SZCC, Tamil Nadu.. Retrieved on 2007-12-07.
  5. ^ Plunkett, Richard (2001). South India. Lonely Planet, 53. ISBN 1864501618. 
  6. ^ "Human `tigers' face threat to health", Times of India, 2001-10-26. Retrieved on 2007-12-07. 
  7. ^ a b c d Stephen D'Souza. What's in a Name?. daijiworld.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
  8. ^ Nagarapanchami Naadige Doddadu. Mangalorean.Com. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  9. ^ Beary Sahitya Academy set up. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-01-15.
  10. ^ Shri Venkataramana Temple (Car Street, Mangalore). OurKarnataka.Com,Inc. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  11. ^ John B. Monteiro. Monti Fest Originated at Farangipet – 240 Years Ago!. daijiworld.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  12. ^ Amrita Nayak. Food for thought. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-01-18.
  13. ^ `Mosaru Kudike' brings in communal harmony. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-02-22.
  14. ^ Tulu film festival. The Hindu. Retrieved on 2008-01-19.