Bisu — the union of Nature and Mankind

The union of Prakruti which is Nature and Purusha representing mankind is the main essence of Bisu celebrated in the month of April. This festival heralds the beginning of the new year to the Tulu Nadu Bunts. Fondly termed as Parba, which translates as Utsav in Hindi and Festival in English, this traditional festival carries a story of its own. The Tulu calendar interestingly carries 12 months which are named as Paggu, Beshya, Kaartel, Aati, Sona, Kanya, Bontyolu, Peraarde, Ponny, Maayi, Suggi and Jaarde. Out of which Paggu is April and Bisu is celebrated in Paggu. These 12 months form the Varsha or the year and the Tulu calendar system is the Solar calendar for the Tulu speakers. The Tulu Nadu region is also called Parashurama Srishti and this leads us to another story in the tapestry of stories and myths that this land is associated with. Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu was the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. As an obedient son to his father he chops off the head of his mother on instruction of his father and later seeks the boon of bringing her back to life as claimed boon from his father. Parashurama is also known for his hatred towards the Kshatriyas who were unjust and cruel leaders and hence slaughtered the Kshatriyas till he was stopped by Shiva. It is believed that Parashurama came to Kadri which was then a part of the ocean. Since Parashurama wanted space to meditate, he requested Lord Varuna the god of the ocean to take back the ocean waters from this piece of land. When Lord Varuna refused to oblige, Parashurama is believed to have flung his axe in anger, which led to Lord Varuna taking back the waters from that parcel of land. Thus was born Parashurama Kshetra and therefore creation by Parashurama, which is Parashurama Srishti. This created land of Parashurama had to be worshipped and thanked for. A land created from the ocean brought a closer relationship of mankind between the oceans and the land and hence agriculture and fishing grew to be the chief occupation of this region. In fact, this is the day when the farmer took permission from his landlord to start the agricultural activities for the year and before commencing the activities the blessings of the Gods and the owner of the land were taken. As part of the celebrations, families got together in the Guttu Manes, the Manorhouses and offered the harvest of the land to the village God and thereafter sat together for a rich serving of lunch together. The meal typically consists of a fair mix of sweet, bitter, sour and salty dishes implying that all experiences of life whether joy, sorrow, prosperity or others are to be flavoured with the same spirit and enjoyed in the year ahead. Hence the vegetable spread and the display and prayers of gratitude offered to the vegetable and fruit grown in this region. The Bisu Kani is an interesting display of the fruit, vegetable and rice and other harvest products. The display of vegetables and fruit includes the golden cucumber, rice, jack fruit, betel leaves, areca nut, banana, mango, and coconut to list a few. Kani meaning that which is seen first signifies the union of mankind and nature as the first activity of ploughing the land begins and that which is seen first on this day. With this, the new year is given an auspicious beginning indicating a year of abundance ahead. A festival that rejuvenates the age-old activity of farming, the festival symbolizes clear that we get together and pray for good health, for prosperity, for good fortune, for success, and for peace. Happy Bisu!