The Anniversary of Black Sunday

Christians in Mangalore / Udupi districts refer 14th September 2008 as Black Sunday. As many as 11 Churches were attacked by few politically motivated people on this day, much to the dismay of not only Christians but Hindus and Muslims alike.

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The picture (shown above) of the damaged crucifix will continue to be a grave reminder of the attacks which were carried out in an organized manner.

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The police brutalities on the people who took part in demonstrations later are continuously being downplayed by local authorities. On the contrary, more than 150 Christians are booked for cases such as disturbing peace, disobeying the Police, etc. etc. and are being tried in courts, whereas no police personnel are said to have been tried yet.

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The words written above the crucifix “Thus I Loved You” (ಇಂತು ನಾ ನಿನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಿದೆ) speak out loud.

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Photo courtesy : www.daijiworld.com

Happy Feast of Nativity

Today Catholics around the world are celebrating the feast of nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary.  Apart from the famous Bendra Fest celebrations at Mount Mary Church, Bombay, Mangalore has a special significance for the day.  Children honour Infant Mary by offering colourful flowers.  The blessed new rice corn is distributed in the churches and all family members unitedly dine at home thanking the Lord for the new crop.

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We wish a very happy feast to all Udyavarites blog readers and their families.  ಭಾಗಿ ಮೊಂತಿ ಫೆಸ್ತಾಚೆ ಉಲ್ಲಾಸ್ ತುಮ್ಕಾಂ.

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Please click here for Daijiworld reports on todays celebrations at Udyavar Church.

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Given below is a Konkani Poem to suit the occasion:

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ಗಾಂವಾ ಥಾವ್ನ್ ನವೆಂ ಆಯ್ಲಾಂ......

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ಗಾಂವಾ ಥಾವ್ನ್ ನವೆಂ ಆಯ್ಲಾಂ

ಮಟ್ವ್ಯಾ ಕಾಗ್ದಾಸವೆಂ ಆಯ್ಲಾಂ

ಕಾರ್ತಿ ಭಾತಾಚಿ ಕಣಸ್ ಸೊಬಿತ್ತ್

ಪಾವ್ಸ್ ಭೋವ್ಶಾ ಚುಕ್‍ಲ್ಲೊ ಮೀತ್

ಥೊಡಿಂ ಭಾತಾಂ ಪುಡ್ಪುಡಿತ್

ಥೊಡಿಂ ಮಾತ್ರ್ ಪೊಕೊಳ್
ತರೀ.....

ಪಾಚ್ವ್ಯಾ ಮ್ಹಜ್ಯಾ ಗಾಂವಾರ್

ಪಡ್ಚೊ ನಾ ಕೆದಿಂಚ್ ದುಕೊಳ್

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ಕಾಗಾತ್ ಹಾತಿಂ ಘೆತಾಂ

ಯೆತಾ ರುಪ್ಣೆ ಮಾಂಯ್ಚೆಂ ಮತಿಕ್

ಪಪ್ಪಾಚಿ ತಿ ಮಯ್ಪಾಸಿ ದೀಷ್ಠ್

ಪಾಶಾರ್ ದೊಳ್ಯಾಂ ಹುಜಿರ್

ಕಣಸ್ ಕಾಗ್ದಾಂತ್ ಘಾಲ್ತಾನಾ

ಮಾಂಯ್ ರಡ್ಲ್ಯಾ ಕೊಣ್ಣಾ

ವ್ಹಯ್......

ಕಾಗ್ದಾ ವಯ್ರ್ ಸುಕ್ಲ್ಯಾಂತ್ ದುಕಾಂ

ಪಾರ್ಕುಂಕ್ ಹಾಂವ್ ಜಾಣಾ

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ದೀಸ್ ಆದ್ಲೆ ನಿಯಾಳ್ತಾನಾ

ಕಾಳೀಜ್ ಯೆತಾ ಭರೊನ್

ಫೆಸ್ತಾ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ್ ಪರ್ದೇಶಾನ್ ಹ್ಯಾ

ವೆಲಾಗಾಯ್ ಫಾರುನ್?

ಭಾತಾಂ ಏಏಕ್ ಭರ್ಸುನ್ ದುಧಾಂತ್

ಸೆಂವ್ಕ್ ಆಯ್ತೊಂ ಜಾತಾಂ

ಆನಿ......

ಯೆಂವ್ಚಾ ವರ್ಸಾ ಗಾಂವ್ಚಾ ಥಳಾರ್

ಜೆಂವ್ಚೊ ನಿಚೆವ್ ಘೆತಾಂ..............

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[Taken from the Anthology of Poetry "Lharam Lojelim" of Robert Fernandes, Udyavar] 

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For the benefit of readers, we give below the same in Roman Script:

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GAVAM TAVN NOVEM AILAM...

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Gavam tavn novem ailam

Mottvea kagdasovem ailam

Karthi bhatachi kannas sobhitt

Pavs bhovxea chuk'llo meeth

Thodim bhatam pudpuditt
Thodim mathr pokoll
Toree....
Pachvea mhojea gamvar
Podchona kedinch dukoll
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Kagatt hatim getham
Eita rupnnem mainchem mothinth
Pappachi ti moipasi diextt
Paxear dolleam hujir
Kannas kagdant ghaltana
Maim roddlea konna
Vhoi.....
Kagda voir sukleant dukham
Parkunk havm zanna
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Diss adhle niyaltana
Kalliz eita bhoron
Festa sombhram pordhexean hea
Velaghai pharrun?
Batham e'ek bhorsun dudhant
Sevmk aitho zattam
Eivmchea vorsa gavmchea thollar
Jevmcho nichev ghetam.....
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Photo courtesy : mangalorean.com

N.H. 17 and Journey Down To U.S.A.!

There was a time the undivided South Canara was showcased as class example for its disciplined and well qualified people, reputed educational and financial institutions, availability of good health care access, cleaner and greener environment, excellent roads, quality bus service by private operators etc. etc. If not all, atleast few of the above are now history.
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Seeing the present condition of our roads, one will wonder whether we are heading for moon-age or treading back to stone-age! The pouring rains, plying fuel tankers and iron ore laden trucks are commonly blamed though, there is an absolute absence of a mechanism to build roads that can withstand all needs.
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Power, Road and Communications are the back-bone of any economy. While the Communication sector has been doing reasonably good (due to privatizing), Power and Road infrastructure have lagged behind particularly in Karnataka state.

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The very bridge of Udyavar which had the finest concrete finishing is now patched with asphalt as you can see in the picture. This makes ones journey down to U.S.A. (jokingly dubbed in Tulu for 'Udyavara Sankada Aapel - ಉದ್ಯಾವರ ಸಂಕದ ಆಪೆಲ್ ') memorable for wrong reasons.
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The other picture where asphalt road is almost invisible is the National Highway 17 portion in Mulki.
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It seems our elected leaders who frequent foreign countries, turn a blind eye for the quality of roads seen there!
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Photographs by : Robert Fernandes, Udyavar.

A Poetry Session In Udyavar

After the historic Konkani Poetry Session held for the first time in Udyavar Last Year on 17th August 2008, it was 2nd chance for poetry lovers to taste the magnificent flow of Konkani poetic verses yet again on this August 16th evening.
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About 12 poets hailing from different parts of undivided South Canara recited their poems much to the applause of approximately 75 poetry lovers gathered in the court yard of "da showers", Opp. Sodhe Mutt, N.H. 17, Udyavar.  The event was organized in coordination with "Kavitaa Trust" Mangalore headed by Konkani's Renowned Poet Melwyn Rodrigues.
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Poets Melwyn Rodrigues, H.M. Pernal, Catherine Rodrigues Katpadi, Alwyn Danthi Pernal, Arun Danthi Pernal, Melwyn Pernal, Gladis Rego, Claudy Brahmawar, Wilson Kateel, Wilson Kinnigoli, Flavia Olivera and Robert Fernandes recited their compositions on various contemporary themes.

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Poet Wilson Kateel moderated the entire session brilliantly with wit and humour.

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Prominent artist Wilson Kayyar displayed his talent by sketching 2 paitings within no time while Arun Danthi sang Konkani songs.  These paintings were auctioned during the session.

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Besides poetry lovers from the vicinity, Udyavarites former presidents Gerald Pereira and Donald Machado were present for the occasion.  Agnel D'Silva, president of Katpadi Konkans and Flosie Teacher shared their opinions on the session.  Tony Ferose, sub-editor of Raknno Konkani Weekly was also present.

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Please Click Here for more photographs and detailed news coverage.

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Photo courtesy : www.konkanipoetry.com

The Rhythm of Falling Rain........

No wonder, if these pictures remind you of the sentimental classic of sixties “Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain….” by the Cascades.

It’s absolute bliss to experience the cool comforts of July rains pouring down day and night incessantly. Children’s joy particularly of those who have come on holidays from Gulf countries is beyond explanations. Moreover, it’s thrilling to discover on a fine morning that there are flood waters everywhere around!

July rains and muddy flood waters are all you will see in these 2 photographs taken in Udyavar during this rainy season.

Though people residing in low-lying areas are affected temporarily a bit, it is essentially the nature in full control.

If you think you have similar photographs you wish to share with the blog readers, please do mail to udyavarites@gmail.com.

Photographs : Robert Fernandes, Udyavar

Fresh River Fish

How many could you count?
10?
15?
20?
25?
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Feel nostalgic? You’ve got to be home (Udyavar) to taste these fresh river fish. Whether it is rainy season or summer, there has been no scarcity for fresh river fish in Udyavar by Gods grace.

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Could you identify these by names?
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ಸುಂಗಾಟ್, ಸಂಗಾಟ್, ಶೆವ್ಟೊ, ಕೊಕ್ಕರ್, ಅಟ್ಟೆಜಾಗ್, ಚಿಪ್ಪರ್, ಗೊಲಾಯ್, ಖರ್ಸಾಂಡೆ (ಮಟ್ಟೆ), ಲೆಪೊ, ಶತ್ಕಾ ಖೊರ್ವೊ, ಕುರ್ಲೆ ಕೊಚ್ಚರ್ etc. etc.
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If you have anything to say, do click on comments.

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Photo courtesy : daijiworld

Dubai Heritage Village & Talking About Fasting

Muslims throughout the world began the month of Ramadan on 22nd August this year. When the sun goes down, Dubai the city of gold slowly basks into festive atmosphere. Here is a photograph of an illuminated building in Dubai Heritage Village.

Talking about Fasting:
Throughout the history religions believe that fasting or observing a disciplined diet has spiritual benefits and brings people closer to God. Christians, Muslims and Hindus do believe that fasting has numerous spiritual benefits.

The Holy Bible states that Moses, David, Jesus Christ and Elijah fasted for up to 40 days. Mathew 17:21 mentions the need for prayer and fasting.

Fasting has played key role in the spiritual journeys of Buddha, Mohammad, Mahatma Gandhi etc. Plato & Socrates had recommended fasting for increasing mental & physical health.

Fasting helps in attaining freedom from sickness, anger, hatred, frustrations, worries and sick emotions. Experts say that fasting provides: (1) Increased energy (2) Calmness (3) Improved concentration (4) Sound sleep and (5) A total feeling of wellbeing.

Just as there is time for sunshine and time for rain, there is time for feasting and time for fasting too.

Photograph by: Robert Fernandes, Udyavar.