Puttur, 22 September 2026: Bunt community came together at Manavalikeguttu Kambala Gadde in Perabe village to celebrate traditional culture through the ‘Bantere Kesara Donji Kusala’ programme.
Event was organised by the Alankaru Valaya Bunts Association under the guidance of the Buntara Yane Nadavara Matr Sangha Mangaluru Puttur Taluk Committee and Puttur Taluk Bunts Association, with the support of the Nelyadi Valaya Bunts Association.
Programme began with prayers at the Dharma Chavadi of Manavalikeguttu. The sports activities were inaugurated by K. Seetharama Rai Savanur, former president of the Puttur Taluk Bunts Association.
Speaking on the occasion, Rai said traditional programmes such as Kesara Donji help younger generations understand the customs and culture of Tulunadu.
He said children today spend considerable time on mobile phones and social media. Traditional activities in paddy fields can help them reconnect with outdoor activities and the working traditions of earlier generations. He inaugurated the sports activities by performing the traditional ritual of pouring milk into the field.
Former president of the Alankaru Valaya Bunts Association Sesappa Rai K. said the association has been involved in social activities for the past 25 years. He also highlighted the traditional importance of Manavalikeguttu and its worship of local deities.
Asian Championship runner-up Nikhil L. Shetty Kevalapatt handed over the sports torch to Srujan Rai Parariguttu.
Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai, who attended the programme, congratulated the organisers for conducting the event. He spoke about the role of the Bunt community in society and highlighted contributions made by community members in different fields.
Rai also referred to his efforts to secure 5.50 acres of land in Puttur for the Bunt community. He said he had personally paid the government the value of the land. He also referred to the proposed medical college in Puttur and the recent state-level recognition of Tulu as Karnataka's second additional official language for administrative purposes.
He said community and religious organisations that identify eligible sites could approach the government for consideration of residential sites.
MLA also recalled his childhood visits to Alankaru and an incident involving collecting beedis prepared by workers at a local beedi branch. Afternoon programme included felicitation of MLA Ashok Kumar Rai for his efforts towards the administrative recognition of Tulu, Geetha Shyama Prasad Rai for providing the paddy field for the event and retired physical education teacher and state award recipient Dayananda Rai Kormanda for conducting the sports activities.
Traditional mud-field competitions continued from morning to evening. Competitions were held for children, school students, men, women and participants above 45 years. Alankaru Valaya won the overall championship, while Kedumbady Valaya secured the second prize.
Closing ceremony was presided over by Puttur Taluk Bunts Association president Kavu Hemanath Shetty. He said the participation of community members from Puttur and Kadaba taluks made the programme successful and stressed the importance of community participation in organisational activities.
Organising committee honorary president Dayananda Rai Manavalikeguttu said the event was organised to bring members of the Bunt community from different areas of Puttur and Kadaba taluks together.
Programme was conducted by a team led by organising committee president Prashanth Rai Manavalikeguttu, coordinator Mohanadas Rai Parariguttu and other members. Lokanath Rai Kelka coordinated the proceedings, while Hemant Rai Manavalikeguttu welcomed the gathering and Ajith Rai Manavalikeguttu proposed the vote of thanks.
Keywords: Kesara Donji Kusala, Puttur Bunts, Alankaru, Manavalikeguttu, Tulunadu culture, traditional mud games, Citizen News Puttur