VILLAGE REPORT: MATTU GULLA
- sreyobardhan paul
- Oct 5, 2023
- 7 min read
Mattu is a coastal village in the Udupi district in the southwestern state of Karnataka. It is known for its picturesque beaches, serene surroundings and cultural significance.
As a group, we were really excited to visit this village. What is astonishing is that though Mattu is lesser-known than its counterparts, its unique character and tourist destination make it a hidden gem in the region. One of the primary draws to the Mattu village is Mattu Beach. With its golden sands, clear water and breathtaking sunsets, it offers an ideal spot for relaxation, beach combing or simply soaking in the alluring effect of the Arabian Sea. Kateel Durga Parmeshwari Temple is one of the most important religious landmarks. Its unique architecture, rituals and festivals attract thousands of devotees from Karnataka. When we see the atmosphere in the temple during festivals, we accurately get to know the cultural traditions of the region. Mattu is a village in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India, that has a unique cultural identity and heritage.
MATTU GULLA:
The village is famous for a particular variety of brinjal (eggplant) that is grown only in this village called Mattu Gulla. The brinjal grown here is light green in colour and is spherical, unlike the usual purple-coloured variety. The first brinjal harvested is offered to Lord Krishna at Krishna Matha, Udupi. The villagers believe that the brinjal has a divine origin and is a blessing from the god. The brinjal is also used to prepare various dishes that are popular among the locals and tourists alike.
Mattu is also known for its annual Mattu Pongal festival, which is celebrated on the day after Makar Sankranti. On this day, the villagers decorate their cattle with flowers and bells and worship them as a symbol of gratitude for their contribution to agriculture. The cattle are then taken to the beach for a ceremonial bath and a feast. The villagers also enjoy various games and competitions on the beach, such as tug-of-war, boat race and kite flying. The festival is a way of expressing the villagers’ love and respect for nature and their animals.
MOGAVEERA:
It was thrilling to know that Mattu is home to a community of fishermen who follow the Mogaveera tradition. They are known for their bravery and skill in fishing. They also have a rich cultural heritage of folk songs, dances and dramas that depict their lifestyle and history. Some of the popular art forms of the Mogaveera community are Yakshagana, Bhuta Kola and Nagamandala.
Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form that combines music, dance, dialogue, costume, make-up and stage techniques. It is based on stories from Hindu epics, such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, or local legends and folklore. The performers wear colourful costumes and elaborate headgear to portray different characters. The performance is accompanied by live music played by instruments such as chande (a type of drum), maddale (another type of drum), harmonium and flute.
Bhuta Kola is a ritual dance performed to worship the spirits of ancestors, heroes, animals or plants. The dancers wear masks and costumes to represent the spirits they invoke. They also carry weapons or symbols associated with the spirits. The dancers enter into a trance-like state and communicate with the spirits through gestures and sounds. The spectators also participate in the ritual by offering prayers, food or money to the spirits.
MYTHOLOGICAL FACTS:
While covering the village we got to know a lot of mythological facts.
Vadiraja was a devotee of Lord Hayagriva, the horse-headed avatar of Lord Vishnu, who is considered the god of knowledge and wisdom. Vadiraja had a miraculous idol of Lord Hayagriva, which he used to worship daily.
One day, Vadiraja noticed that the idol had a slight blue tinge on its face. He realized that it was because of the poisonous breath of a snake that lived in a nearby anthill, where he used to keep the idol at night. He decided to move the idol to a safer place.
He chose Mattu village, which was near Udupi, where he had established a temple for Lord Krishna. He entrusted the idol to the Brahmins of Mattu village, who were his disciples and followers. He asked them to worship the idol with devotion and care.
He also gave them some seeds of brinjal (some devotees say he gave a handful of sand) and told them to sow them in their fields. He said that the brinjal would be a special variety that would have a divine origin and quality. He instructed them to offer the first harvest of the brinjal to Lord Hayagriva and Lord Krishna as naivedhya (food offering).
The Brahmins followed his instructions and sowed the seeds (or sand) in their fields. To their surprise, they found that the seeds sprouted into green, round and thorny brinjals, unlike any other variety they had seen before. They named them Mattu Gulla, after their village.
They offered the first harvest of Mattu Gulla to Lord Hayagriva and Lord Krishna as Naivedhya. They noticed that the blue tinge in the idol’s face slowly began to vanish. They realized that it was because of the power and grace of Lord Hayagriva and Vadiraja.
Since then, Mattu Gulla became a sacred and unique vegetable for the people of Mattu village. They continued to grow it in their fields and offer it to Lord Hayagriva and Lord Krishna as Naivedhya. They also shared it with other devotees and visitors who came to their village.
Mattu Gulla became famous for its taste, aroma and health benefits. It also became a symbol of the cultural and religious heritage of Mattu village.
PAPANASINI RIVER:
Papanasini is the mountain stream in the Wayanad district of Kerala emanating from the heart of Brahmagiri forest flowing through roots, leaves and medicinal herbs. It is a holy mountain stream accessible around 1 km north-west of the temple premises. Pilgrims bathe here as they consider its water to be sacred with powers to dilute one’s sins. The temple offers service to immerse ashes in the sacred mountain stream to be thus carried to the Kaveri river and from there to either Arabian Sea or Indian Ocean.
However, a villager told us that the river has not benefitted them as it contains saltwater. They prefer rainwater for their Paddy fields.
VEDIC LIFESTYLE:
The other remarkable thing which we got to know is the fact that they lead a Vedic lifestyle. The villagers of Mattu follow the principles of Vedic culture, which is based on the ancient scriptures of Hinduism, such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. They practice various rituals and ceremonies that are prescribed in the Vedic texts, such as daily prayers, fire sacrifices, festivals, and pilgrimages. They also observe the rules of varna (social order) and ashrama (stages of life), which guide their duties and responsibilities in society. Food, work, and activities to Lord Krishna as a form of devotion. They also chant the holy names of Lord Krishna, such as Hare Krishna, which purifies their mind and heart.
WAYS IN WHICH VILLAGERS SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE GOVERNMENT :
They form self-help groups and cooperatives to manage their agricultural and fishing activities, such as seed distribution, irrigation, marketing, etc. They rely on their local knowledge and skills to deal with health issues, such as using herbal medicines, home remedies, yoga, etc. They preserve and propagate their rich heritage and traditions, such as celebrating festivals, offering prayers, etc. They foster a sense of community and harmony among themselves, by sharing resources, helping each other and resolving conflicts peacefully.
LOCAL CUISINE:
As said by the residents, culinary offerings are heavily influenced by coast. Preparations like prawn masala, fish curry and coconut based like coconut chutney, coconut sambhar, coconut laddu are extremely popular.
GAMAKA ART FORM:
Gamaka art form is a form of storytelling by singing that originated in Karnataka. It is based on old Kannada epics and involves reading a stanza of a poem with suitable raga or melodic line, followed by an explanation of the meaning with examples and anecdotes. It is performed by two people, one who sings the stanza (gamaki) and one who explains it (vyakyana). The gamaki uses a harmonium or a tambura to accompany his or her singing, while the vyakyana uses a microphone to amplify his or her voice. The gamaki and the vyakyana sit on a stage in front of an audience, who listen attentively and appreciate the performance.
It is practiced in Mattu village by the villagers who have learned Sanskrit and Vedas from their school called Sanskar Bharati. The villagers perform Gamaka art form on various occasions, such as festivals, ceremonies, competitions, workshops, etc., to entertain and educate themselves and others. We were fascinated that the villagers also participate in national and international events to showcase their talent and culture.
EXPECTATIONS OF THE VILLAGERS FROM THE CURRENT GENERATION OF MATTU:
The villagers always have high expectations from the present generation.
To learn and speak Sanskrit fluently and use it as the medium of communication in the village and outside. The villagers believe that Sanskrit is the mother of all languages and the source of wisdom and culture To study and practice the Vedas, Upanishads, and other ancient texts that impart the knowledge of spirituality, morality, and philosophy. The villagers have a school called Sanskar Bharati that teaches Sanskrit and Vedas to around 5,000 people.To perform and propagate Gamaka art, the traditional art form of singing and storytelling that is based on old Kannada epics. The villagers consider Gamaka art as a way to transmit the teachings of Puranas, Upanishads, and high intellectual traditions in popular form and languages understandable to common people without Sanskrit education. To balance between modernity and tradition, by adopting the benefits of science and technology without losing their connection with their roots and identity. The villagers are not detached from the modern world, as many of them are IT professionals who work abroad. However, they also maintain their attachment to their village and culture.
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