MANGALURU: For this software engineer, the tradition of his land is as important as his profession. As ‘tech leader’, Chethan Ananthady remains busy with his Bengaluru-based IT company’s works throughout the year. Yet he makes time to participate in Nemotsava and plays an important role in ‘Daiva Kola’ (spirit worship) in his home taluk of Puttur and surrounding areas.
Like software engineering which requires skills, participation in Nemotsava too demands sound knowledge about spirits people worship. He is an expert at offering prayer (called Paari) during Daiva Kola rituals.
Chethan shoulders the responsibility of Paari in most of the Nemotsavas held in Puttur and Sullia taluks of Dakshina Kannada district. ‘Paari’ is the main part of Nemotsava, where the person who offers prayer explains the background of ‘Daivaradhane’ and how particular spirits “came into existence”.
He knows prayers for eight spirits like ‘Raktheshwari’, ‘Rudra Chamundi’ and ‘Kuppe Panjurli’.
Offering prayers at Daiva Kola fetches good returns as organisers pay Rs 3,000-5,000. But he does not take money as he considers it a service. “As Daiva has given me everything. I don’t want to take money for this religious service”, says the 32-year-old son of Monappa Gowda and Tulasi of Ananthady in Puttur taluk.
His company sends him to the United Kingdom and African countries on assignments. But he reserves his leave for April, the season of Nemotsava and Daiva Kola. Chethan says one should not part with the traditions in the face of modernity. “We should follow the religious rituals of our ancestors as they have scientific reasons,” the engineer says.