Caption: Picture shows the Kodavas, attired in traditional dresses, bringing the newly-reaped paddy crop to be placed under the Nellakki and offer worship.
Mysore, Nov. 29
Hundreds of Kodavas residing in Mysore participated in the Huthri festival celebrations held under the auspices of Mysore Kodava Samaja at the premises of Sri Cauvery Educational Institutions in Kuvempungar last evening.

The harvest festival got off to a start with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the women members. Samaja President N.P. Kalappa welcomed.

On the occasion, the Samaja team which bagged prizes in the traditional dance competition held at Balugodu in Virajpet recently were felicitated.

The celebrations comprised performance of the traditional Kodava dances like bolkaat, ummathaat, kolaat, kathiyaat, thalipaat, pareyakali etc., by the men and women folk attired in traditional Kodava costumes.

This was followed by Nerekattuva ritual after which the Samaja President led the members to the paddy field created in the institution premises to reap the new paddy crop and distribute it to all the members along with the thambittu prasada.

The festival saw the participation of young and old alike.

The Samaja, in a bid to keep the youngsters rooted to their traditions and culture, had trained them in various traditional dances during the past one week at the Samaja premises in Vijayanagar.

P. Lovely Appaiah and C. Nirmala Subramani compered the programme.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / November 29th, 2012