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Time of India

Jackfruit to get cultural twist in Talamaddale at fruit fest

Mangaluru: In recent years, the humble jackfruit has grown in popularity as a superfood, and now, it is about to become the hero of a Talamaddale performance. As part of the seventh edition of Halasu Hannu Mela, a unique summer fruit festival celebrating jackfruit and fruit diversity, a special Talamaddale prasanga (episode) titled 'Panasopakhyana' will be presented for the first time at Kille Maidan, Puttur on June 7. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This innovative performance aims to create awareness about jackfruit's value addition and traditional importance. Venugopal, trustee of Navateja, the trust organising the festival, said, "Talamaddale is a traditional art form that focuses purely on spoken word, oratory, and debate without any costumes or elaborate stage setups. It still manages to draw a loyal and attentive audience. That is why we decided to create a prasanga, 'Panasopakhyana' deriving its name and centred around jackfruit," he said. The festival, to be held from June 6 to 8, is not just about fruit exhibitions. It offers a blend of culture, entertainment, and awareness, with events like Kavi Goshti and Talamaddale. The founders of Navateja share a deep-rooted interest in organic farming, fruit cultivation, processing, and traditional food practices. Their collective vision is the conservation and promotion of native fruit diversity. "Jackfruit is not just a fruit; it is a symbol of our traditional food force," Venugopal said. The idea for Panasopakhyana was in the making since last year. "Each edition of the mela brings something new to the audience," he said. The prasanga will be released by VG Bhat, retired principal in the presence of Puttur Yaksharanga president Kadoor Seetharama Shastry. Artists Shedigumme Vasudeva Bhat Kumble and Adka Gopalakrishna Bhat played key roles in shaping the performance. The Talamaddale event has been coordinated by Na Karanth Peraje of Adike Patrike With jackfruit at its heart, this year's Halasu Hannu Mela promises a flavourful mix of tradition, innovation, and storytelling. On June 6, Halasu-Hannugala Kavigoshti will be held, with Puttur Umesh Nayak, president, Puttur Taluk Sahitya Parishad, presiding.