9th Rani Abbakka festival commences with grand cultural procession

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 12, 2012: The 9th edition of the 2-day festival held in honor of Rani Abbakka, the queen of Ullal who fought against the Portuguese 5 centuries back, was inaugurated on the grounds of Uchila Bovi School in Sankolige in Someshwar on Saturday. 

The inauguration ceremony commenced with a colorful procession from Kotekar to the school grounds, led by a woman on horseback. The procession comprised illustrations of folk art such as Yakshagana Gombe, Keelu Kudure, Gombe Balaga, Navilu Nritya, Daapu, and others and was flagged off by Mangalore MLA U. T. Khader.  

Addressing the gathering, Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that he has requested the central government to approve the renaming of the New Mangalore Port Trust in honor of Rani Abbakka, who is considered to be a role model for the women of Tulu Nadu. 

Stressing on the importance of preserving the country’s culture and independence, Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje said that all elected representatives need to work toward the same. She also urged the younger generation to derive inspiration from Rani Abbakka and the state government to extend the festival to different parts of the state, instead of limiting it to Ullal. 

Speaking on the occasion, U. T. Khader suggested that the Abbakka Utsav can be used as a platform to spread the message of communal harmony. 

MLC Ganesh Karnik, Harikrishna Punaroor, and many others were also present.
The last 7 editions of this festival were funded by donors and philanthropists, but from the past two years, the festival has received financial support from the state government, which released Rs. 25 lakh for the 9th edition.