Centre for Intercultural Studies and Dialogue (CISD)
Centre for Intercultural Studies and Dialogue (CISD), housed in 必威体育betway888 Centre for European Studies (MCES), MAHE is a platform for learning and research on communication across cultures. It aims at understanding the intricacies and nuances of plurilingual and multicultural societies by focusing on cultural interactions and negotiations at various levels.
The ongoing project ‘Discerning India- Living Cultures of Tulunadu’, which started in 2021, is conceived with the aim to explore the rich source of indigenous knowledge and to conduct research on cultural traditions and practices. It attempts to document, archive and analyze the richness of the regional culture in terms of its outlook on life, society, and environment. The project aims to examine the interconnectedness of social practices within the community in Tulunadu, and their contemporary significance, contributing to a repository of local cultural knowledge. These traditions, deeply tied to the land and its people, offer invaluable insights into the sustainable and harmonious ways of living that have thrived in Tulunadu for centuries.
As part of the CISD project, several exciting initiatives have been launched to appreciate and preserve the vibrant heritage of Tulunadu. In 2022, a self-paced online certificate course, "Living Cultures of Tulunadu," was offered to provide a glimpse into the traditional practices of the region. This course contains documentaries, recorded lectures and reading materials on each topic. Following this, in November 2023 CISD published a visually captivating book titled Living Cultures of Tulunadu introducing readers to the prominent living traditions that define the region.
The self-paced online course (involving four units) was offered as a two-credit course initially and about 380 participants have completed the course so far. The third batch is offered in the month of February 2025 as a three-credit course involving six units on local traditions.
Additionally, a compelling series of documentaries exploring various facets of the Tulunadu traditions has been produced and shared within academic circles, further contributing to academic discourse and cultural awareness.
A total of 8 documentaries have been produced by CISD on local traditions as part of the project. The international recognition these documentaries have received demonstrates their importance in bringing Tulunadu’s traditions to a global audience.?
Living Cultures of Tulunadu
Mayandaala Bhuta | Bhuta Worship | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
?
?
?
?
Bhutas are the deities of Tulu people which are revered by the community, representing the very essence of the land. This tradition is deeply intertwined with the idea of community justice, social cohesion, and kinship relations. Bhuta worship also involves an oral storytelling tradition which is an integral part of the cultural memory of Tulu people.
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
The Traditional Kambalas are held from mid-November to mid-December along coastal Karnataka, India, the region known as Tulunadu. It is a ritualistic tradition involving agrarian practices, land, worship offerings, community beliefs, and bond between humans and animals.
?
?
?
?
Traditional Kambala of Tulunadu | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
Nandalike Moda | Kambala | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
?
?
Kambala is a traditional slush track buffalo race that takes place in different parts of Tulunadu from the month of November till March. Kambalas are integrally connected to agricultural activities, worship of Bhuta and Naga, and the worship of land and nature. This video talk about the journey of Nandalike Moda, who has won the most medals in the rope senior category in 2023-24 Kambala Season.
?
?
?
?
?
?
Tala maddale is a derivative of Yakshagana, a theatrical art form popular in Karnataka and some parts of Kerala. Unlike Yakshagana, which includes music, dance, and dialogue, Tala-Maddale focuses on song and dialogue. Its plots, often drawn from mythology, feature impromptu debates between characters. This art form is a source of entertainment and intellectual engagement in Tulunadu.
?
?
?
Tala maddale | Yakshagana | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
Pandu | The Champion Buffaloe of Kambala | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
?
?
?
?
Kambala is a traditional slush track buffalo race that takes place in different parts of Tulunad from the month of November till March. Kambalas are integrally connected to agricultural activities, worship of Bhuta and Naga, and the worship of land and nature.
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Kambala as a ritualistic and competitive event in Tulunadu, involves a detailed preparation of the racing buffaloes prior to the actual race. Ploughing of buffaloes holds a significant role in these preparations. This is a glimpse into one such acts.
?
?
?
?
?
Ploughing Kambala buffaloes |?Living Cultures of Tulunadu
Pilivesha of Tulunadu | Udupi | Ashok Raj Kadabettu | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
?
?
?
?
Pilivesha (Tiger Dance) is a performative tradition practised in the districts of Dakshina Kannada & Udupi. There are ritualistic and competitive Pilivesha troupes that perform during Navaratri in Mangalore and Krishna Janmashtami at Udupi. Ashok Raj Kadabettu is repute Pili troupe leader in Udupi.
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Dakke Bali is a form of Naga worship which takes place once in two years at Brahmastana, Padubidri of Udupi district. Dakke Bali involves an overnight performance ritual dedicated to the Naga deity. As a part of the series of Dakke Bali that takes place in Brahmastana at Padubidri, one Dakke Bali performance ritual is held in Murudi Brahmastana.
?
?
?
?
Dakke Bali at Murudi Brahmastana, Padubidiri | Nagaradhane | Living Cultures of Tulunadu
Activities
.jpg "Outreach Workshop")
