Sunil Haleangady
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, May 15: Each village along the coast has its own history and heritage. Chelairu, a village near Pavanje bridge is one among those villages which has set an example of unity in diversity in its unique tradition, language and culture. The village has been celebrating fishing fair in the river water near Pavanje bridge during this month every year.

The fair was held on Friday, May 15 this year as part of the concluding ceremony of Khandevu Nemotsava. The celebrations were officially set in motion early in the morning when the sun was beginning to rise.

While some people come for fishing in groups with their friends and relatives and take away whichever fish they catch, there are others who consider that fishing is their only task and indulge in it the whole day long regardless of their religion, caste or creed.

There is a group which sells fish at exorbitant rates here saying that the fish from this river is good for health. There are others who buy the fish regardless of the price as there is a belief that the fish from Khandevu should be eaten at least once in a year.

Sharing his experience, a bank official who came for fishing here said that he has been coming for fishing here for the last 35 years. Earlier when there was no transport facility, they used to come for the fishing expedition a night before and stay in the nearby hill and start fishing the next morning. There was a tradition of distributing jaggery and water during those days, he recalled.

Seena, an eighty-year-old resident of Soorinje said that he has been coming here for fishing since he was ten years old. Now he comes here with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was instructed from his grandfather to come for the traditional fishing here and he has been following it ever since, he says.

Many who came for fishing said that there was scarcity of fish this year. They say that developing cities and pollution from industries may be the cause for this.

On the whole, the day provided an opportunity for all to reflect on the rich tradition of Tulunadu culture.