The morning in Acton had dawned clear albeit a bit cooler than usual, with a crispness that hinted summer was coming to an end. The weather was perfect to bring out the child within and “Jokulatige 2018” was the perfect occasion. Jokulatige literally means child's play in Tulu language. New England Tulu Koota (NETK) Boston USA, an organization of people living in New England Area with roots in Tulunadu, an area around Mangalore spanning Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod districts in Coastal Karnataka and North Kerala, celebrated the fun-filled Annual Picnic at the picturesque NARA Park in Acton on September 9, 2018.

Since the inception of New England Tulu Koota, picnics have been a platform to showcase the culinary range of Tulunad delicacies and to help in reviving the slowly disappearing Tulunadu folk sports and games. Needless to say, this is an opportunity to take a quick break from ever busy work schedule, mingle with people, socialize and relax. A two month old baby to elderly people preparing to celebrate their centuries were present at the event.

The main attraction and bonding factor of the picnic is the home-cooked food by volunteers. Over thirty nine food varieties including starter, side dish, main course and dessert were the highlights of the picnic. Rare delicacies like Punarpuli Saar, Pathrode, Semeda Adye, Kudutha Chutney, Kodakyane, Menaskai, Moode, Idli, Gujje Aajadina, Kadle Gasi, Baale Koddel, Kori Gasi, Kori Sukka, Kori Ghee Roast, Kukkuda Rasayana, Peradi Payasa, Halubayi and many more were prepared from the family recipes transferred from generation to generations. The pinnacle of the delicacies were the live preparation of tea time snacks Churmuri, Mangalore Buns and Tengalolu. A well decorated traditional Churmuri stall made people nostalgic, as if they are sitting in a stall in native place and enjoying an evening with Churmuri and tea watching Tulunadu folklore like Yakshagana, Ayana, Jathre, Kola.

Another spectacular part of the picnic is the show of forgotten Tulunadu sports and games. The blend of modern games like Volleyball, Soccer along with “Lagori” and “Tarayi Kattunu” bridged the generation gap, young and old enjoyed the games. Curious young minds watched the rolling of coconuts and amazed how a coconut can be used for a game. Lagori showed how team work, strategy, planning is critical in a game along with the fun. Sac race, Sprints for younger kids and Dodgeball competitions were conducted for teens. Sports and games concluded with a memorable musical chair event.

A unique program of member introduction brought out the hidden talent of oratory skills of the new members. President of the New England Tulu koota Bhaskara Sherigar Mala, General Secretary Puja Shetty and Treasurer  Sharath Amin and Executive Committee members Madhura Acharya, Dr. Usha Rao, Ranjitha Hegde, Raghavendra Kudrethaya, Dhanraj Kotian, Sulekha Rao, Dr. Sudhakar Rao, Fredrick Fernandes, Elias Mendonca, Sudhir Prabhu, Vivek Hegde, Roshan Puttur, Raghuchandra Kinnigoly, Anish Puttur, Anand Rao, Ashwin Shetty, Krishnaprasad Shetty, Lakshmi Puranik, Shalini Shetty, Sowmya Puttur, Sachita Kotian, Prasanna Lakshman, Deepak Jain, Kavita Shetty, Dr. Suraj Shetty and Prabhakara Bhat were present and thanked all the volunteers and members for making this picnic an unforgettable event.

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