1st November- Karnataka State Rajyotsava Tribute

 Adoption and Adaptation.

Yesterday was November 1st.
Karnataka State was celebrating 70yrs of its formation.
The whole city was seen decorated with the Red and Yellow State Flag.
People dressed in Red and Yellow colors.
Loudspeakers playing the State anthem and patriotic songs.....
The Gen Z had made fusion of the old Kannada songs ...upbeat and savvy....Drums and Jazz.
Barisu Kannada Dimdiva....
It's been my 26th year anniversary....too.
I came to Karnataka in 2000.
Initially I adopted and adapted Kannada.
After decades,I now realise....the State has finally Adopted me.Though born and brought up in Maharashtra, I am finally spending major years of my life in my Adopted state Karnataka....and completely adapting to Kannada.
My both kids chide me" Mom,you are now more Kannadiga than Maharashtrian officially. "
Totally Agree on this.
I speak Kannada quite well.
My Marathi and even Hindi accent is influenced by Kannada.
My attire is Kannada.Love the Ilkal and Mysore Silks.
I love the North Karnataka cuisine more.TheJowar Kadak Rotti, Yenegai, Zunka, Godhi Huggi, Kadabus, Shenga/ Gural Chutney, Hindis....the Saaru,Bisibele Bhaat......endless savories..
My evening snack is no longer Vada Pav or Pav Bhaji of Mumbai. It is Girmit, Churmuri and Mirchi Bhajji.
No Panipuri or Sev puri.....
Nippattu and Chakli,Chivda is ever on my palate.
Along with my school going children, I too learnt Kannada script and literature.
Kannada Folk literature is vast.
There are songs ,stories written for every moment and Milestone in our life....even daily chores as simple as cleaning grains or lentils,filling water ...have songs in simple local dialect.
There are songs guiding about  Life values and traditions.
Meaningful.
Karnataka especially North Karnataka is full of festivals influenced by  Agriculture ,Seasons and Months of Hindu Calendar.
Starts with Chaitra Month of Hindu Calendar.
Sankranti is the beginning of Harvest and The Hindu Year.
The Bulls are decorated ,Prayers offered to the Fields.
Prayers to the Rain God for good Harvest in coming months.
Ugadhi- The New Year of Hindus....Prayers for the new year.
RangPanchami is at beginning of harsh summer...Festival of color and water.
Shravan begins a series of festivals marking the Harvest....Prayers to the Snake God on NagPanchami.
Manneti Amavasya offers gratitude to the Bulls and Ox for toiling in the fields.
Ganapati Festival in Bhadrapad.
Then comes the State Festival- Dasara. Houses keep the display of dolls- Gombe.
Diwali has its own splendor.
The delicacies prepared for the particular Festival is influenced by the season and weather.
The winter festivals have more of seasame, groundnuts and jaggery.
The summer festivals have more hydrating ingredients like Kokum, Citruses, Jowar.
People are hard working, simple and earthy.
Traditions and Customs are followed religiously over here.

Karnataka State is gifted with vibrant Nature.and Natural resourcesRich History and Avid Culture.
Karnataka had variety of Flora and Fauna.The Sandalwood trees,the Spices and Condiments.

Beaches,Hills,Mountains and Plateaus.
Rich in Mines.....and Ores.

Hampi,Halebidu, Aihole ,Pattadkallu,Badami....showcase ancient Era...from Shalya dynasty, Vijaynagara Empire,Hoysala dynasty, Mauryan dynasty.
Bijapur, Bidar, Bellary have influence of the Mughal dynasty and rule.
Mysuru and Bengaluru have the Wadiyar rule and British Rule influence.
Anglican buildings are now Government offices.
The Western Ghats and Vindhya mountains....
From Belgavi to Coorg....
The Dandeli Forests and the Bandipur jungles.
Mulliyangiri peaks and Scotland like beauty.
The lavish coffee estates of Chikkamangaluru and Coorg.

The pristine beaches of Gokarna, and the backwaters of Honnavar.

The dry hot  lands of Bijapur and Bellary and the Cauvery rich fields of Mandya and Hassan.

Karnataka has a rich Biodiversity.

The Advanced IT and AI hub and  the Silicone City of India ...us in Karnataka. Bengaluru, the capital city,has all IT sectors- Infosys, Cognizant,Google head offices.

ISRO- the space Research centre of India is in Bengaluru.

Karnataka State and the Kannadiga is an amalgamation of Culture, Traditions, Literature, Art,Creativity and Modern Science.
Ancient history and Recent advances.
From Ilkal handlooms to Modern Fashion.
From Jolada Rotti to Foreign culinary.....
From Toddy to Breweries.....
From Dharwad Pedhas to Mysuru Mallige...Karnataka has GI tag.

Wide and Vibrant.


I took years to adopt and adapt to my new State.
In due course of time....
Karnataka and Kannada has completely adopted me.

As a true Kannadiga.....I too proudly exclaim....
" Sirigannadam Gelege
Sirigannadam Balge"

Let  victorious Kannada Flourish
Let Kannada Live on.

- Dr Tripti Milind Galgali.
Hubli,Karnataka. 

Do visit Karnataka. 

A Biodiversity of Nature and Culture.

Beaches of coastal Karnataka- Gokarna,Murdeshwar,Karwar,Mangaluru.

Backwaters of Honnavar.

Western Ghats and forests of Dandeli.

Coffee estates of Chikkamangaluru and Coorg.

Jog falls and Abbey falls.

The Ancient history in Hampi,Halebidu, Aihole,Pattadkallu,Lakkundi, Banavasi. 

The temples of Banavasi and Chandramouleshwar. 

The Elephant safari of Bandipur.

The Valley of flowers of Mullyangiri.

Mysuru Dassara and Hassan Maikamba Festival. 

The Microbreweries of Bengaluru pubs 

The Rameshwar Cafe Dosa 

The Benne Dosa of Davangere 

The Girmit and Murchi of Hubli.

The Dharwad pedha and Gokak Kardant.

Jollad Rotti of North Karnataka and the Ragi mudde of Mandya 

Karnataka State has it all