INTACH Mangaluru World Heritage Week concludes with inauguration of exhibition on ‘Kattes of Mangaluru’

INTACH Mangaluru World Heritage Week concludes with inauguration of exhibition on ‘Kattes of Mangaluru’

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, November 25, 2024: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) concluded its World Heritage Week celebrations with the inauguration of an exhibition titled ‘Kattes of Mangaluru’. The event, held on Monday, November 25, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Kodial Guthu Centre for Art and Culture, showcased the unique cultural and environmental significance of kattes—sacred tree platforms that double as local landmarks and community hubs in the coastal region.

The exhibition is the result of a comprehensive two-year documentation project led by INTACH Mangaluru Chapter Convener, Subhas Chandra Basu, with support from architects and architecture students. The project documented approximately 200 kattes across old Mangaluru, offering a glimpse into their historic and evolving roles.

Presenting the findings, Subhas Chandra Basu highlighted the importance of kattes as spaces for socializing, trade and leisure, which have increasingly transitioned to sites of religious significance. “While religious association aids in conserving the trees and spaces for a longer duration, it also limits the traditional activities and open access once associated with kattes,” he explained. He emphasized the need to expand such documentation efforts to encompass more of Mangaluru and beyond.

The chief guest, renowned environmentalist Madhav Ullal, lauded INTACH for its initiative. Known for planting and nurturing over 20,000 trees in Dakshina Kannada, Ullal addressed the audience on the challenges of urbanization and deforestation in Mangaluru. “The green cover that once defined this city is rapidly vanishing due to unchecked urbanization. People today lack both awareness and fear of the law, with fines for tree cutting being as low as Rs. 200. Stricter enforcement and policies are essential to curb deforestation,” he asserted.

A printed project report detailing the documentation efforts was unveiled. The exhibition will remain open to the public at Kodial Guthu Centre from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, until Saturday, November 30.