Mysuru: The Zonal Anthropological Museum of the Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI), Southern Regional Centre, Mysuru, in association with the Mysuru Rail Museum, South Western Railway, Mysuru Division, organised ‘The Monsoon Festival’ to celebrate India’s traditional ecological knowledge, indigenous rituals and cultural heritage.

The programme began with the celebration of ‘Aadi Perukku’ by Tamil women, highlighting the cultural significance of the Cauvery and the monsoon traditions associated with the river. The festival also marked the rising waters of the Cauvery during the monsoon.

‘Aadi Perukku’ is observed on the 18th day of the Tamil month of ‘Aadi’, the fifth month of the Tamil calendar.

The festival expresses gratitude for water as the foundation of agriculture, prosperity and life. Women traditionally play a central role in the celebrations by offering prayers and food and paying homage to the river as a source of life. The festival also featured the Toda community’s traditional association with rain, reflecting its close relationship with nature, the landscape and seasonal cycles. Their rituals, songs and performances have been passed down through generations as part of their living cultural traditions.

The Mysuru Rail Museum presented the heritage story of Arasalaru Railway Station, associated with the iconic ‘Malgudi Days’. The presentation highlighted how railway heritage can preserve not only technological history but also cultural landscapes and memories represented through literature and cinema.

The inaugural session was followed by a series of lectures. Dr. R. Santhosh Naik, Director, Prasaranga, Karnataka State Open University, was the chief guest.

Dr. K. Munirathnam Reddy, Director of Epigraphy, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Kumar Digvijay, DME, Mechanical Division, South Western Railway, and Dr. J.S. Jayasankar Rao, Registrar, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, were the guests.

Prof. B.V. Sharma, Director, Anthropological Survey of India, delivered the inaugural address online. Dr. Banita Behera delivered the opening address while Dr. Mithun Sikdar, Head of Office, delivered the welcome address. Dalibandhu Pukkalla proposed a vote of thanks.

Mementoes were presented to content creator Monika from Mysuru and representatives of participating museums, including Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, Regional Museum of Natural History and Sea Shell Art Museum.