News : Anand Kumar Barkur, Visuals : Subhanu, Barkur
A vibrant and spirited recreational sports meet titled "Hway Baniye Kesru Geddige Hwapa" (Come, Let's Go to the Muddy Field) was held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the paddy field of the late Rati Shetty, located within the premises of Sri Venugopalakrishna Temple at Barkur Moodukeri. The event was organised under the auspices of the Sri Venugopalakrishna Yuvaka Sangha for the eight zones of the Udupi District Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja, and brought together participants and spectators in a celebration of rural tradition, community bonding, and the enduring connection between people and the land.
A Traditional Beginning
The programme commenced with a prayer led by Dayananda Baikady, setting a devotional tone for the gathering. The welcome address was delivered by Ramakrishna Ganiga Haradi, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dayananda G. Udyavar. The event was compered and the sports activities were efficiently coordinated by Yogeesh Ganiga Kolagiri, whose energetic anchoring kept the proceedings lively throughout the day.
The inauguration was performed in traditional fashion by Sri K. Udaya Kumar Udupi, President of the Udupi District Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja (Regd.), Moodukeri Barkur. Speaking on the occasion, he praised the organisers for bringing together the youth through rural sports, calling it a commendable initiative that strengthens community ties. He noted that while such sports meets are currently being organised at the zone level, there are plans to scale them up into a grand district-level sports festival in the near future, with the aim of uniting the community on an even larger platform.
Honouring the Earth
In a moment of cultural significance, special reverence was paid to the earth — Bhoomathe — through a Ksheerdhara ritual, in which milk was poured onto the paddy field. This gesture, rich in symbolic meaning, was intended to instil in the younger generation a deep awareness and respect for the soil and the land that sustains life. It was a poignant reminder that the roots of this community are firmly embedded in the traditions of agriculture and the earth.
Following the ritual, the muddy field came alive with a series of energetic and entertaining rural sports that drew enthusiastic participation and drew large crowds of onlookers. The sight of participants splashing through the mud brought laughter, cheers, and a wave of nostalgia, recreating the simple joys of village life that are increasingly rare in the modern age.
Honouring a Veteran
A highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the felicitation of retired soldier Karunakar Ganiga of Basrur, who was honoured for his service to the nation. The gesture was warmly received by the gathering, reflecting the community's deep regard for those who have served the country.
Also present on the dais during the inauguration were Rajesh Ganiga, newly elected President of the Basrur Ganiga Yuva Sanghatane; Ramakrishna Ganiga Haradi, Honorary President of the Yuvaka Sangha; Nagaraj Ganiga Tenkanidiyuru, President of the Yuvaka Sangha; along with Raghurama Baikady, Gireesha Betlakki, Ganesha Painter, Balakrishna Uppuru, Nayana Karunakar, Sujata Shetty, Shweta Udaya Kumar, and Gururaj Ganiga Kemmannu.
A Feast in the Traditional Spirit
After the sports events concluded, the gathering was treated to a traditional communal meal of kuchalakki ganji (a rice porridge made from unpolished rice), huruli saaru (a wholesome horsegram curry), and huruli chutney — simple, nourishing food rooted in the culinary heritage of coastal Karnataka. The shared meal added warmth and fellowship to an already joyful occasion.
Closing Ceremony
The valedictory function that followed the sports events was attended by several dignitaries of the Udupi District Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja, including Vice President Shevadhi Suresh Ganiga Kota, General Secretary Nagaraj Ganiga Saligrama, Rajesh Ganiga Achlady, Pavan Kumar Shetty, Hangyo Gopal Manipal, Radhakrishna Brahmavara, Vithal Ganiga Kemmannu, Vimala Vijay Narnadu, and Praveen Tantri.
In a touching gesture during the closing ceremony, special recognition was extended to Smt. Sujata Shetty and Sri Pavan Shetty for graciously providing the venue, and to Lakshmana, described warmly as a true son of the soil who toils day and night in service of Mother Earth — a farmer whose quiet dedication embodies the very spirit the event sought to celebrate.
Also present were executive members of the Yuvaka Sangha — Suresh Ganiga Barkur, Dayananda G. Udyavar, Venkatesh Kodavur, Vivek Chellimakki, Shabarish, Udayakumar Barkur, and Balakrishna Ganiga Barkur — along with distinguished guests including N. Bhaskar Hubballli, Prashant Ganiga Saligrama, Anand Mabukala, Ramachandra Bandimath, Vishwanath Ganiga Betlakki, Ratna Nagaraj, Udit Udupi, Udaya Kumar Jyothishi, Anand Barkur, Rajesh Shanubhoga, and Subanu Suresh. Members of the Sri Annapurneshwari Mahila Balaga, members of the Sri Venugopalakrishna Yuvaka Sangha, and a large gathering of the general public also graced the occasion.
The event was widely appreciated as a meaningful effort to revive rural sporting traditions, foster community solidarity, and reconnect the younger generation with their cultural and agricultural heritage — a celebration not just of sport, but of identity, belonging, and the timeless bond between a people and their land.
