Tulu Nadu, a region in Dakshina Kannada, India, is a land of deep connection between humans and nature. The Tuluvas, the indigenous people, worship trees, snakes, rivers, fire, and forests through deities called 'Bhootas' or 'Daivas', representing supernatural and powerful spirits.
The region's fertility and the people's imagination are expressed through bhoota kola rituals and yakshagana performances. The food offered at community events is sumptuous yet simple, flavored with cashew and coconuts.
Acclaimed conservation scientist Ullas Karanth explains that the region's geography is key to understanding its culture and cuisine. The Konkan-Kanara coast is a conglomeration of castes, sub-castes, languages, cuisines, and customs, with some overlap and others distinct.
The region's fertility is due to two geological phenomena: the taller ghats and higher rainfall. This leads to spices, fruiting plants, mushrooms, tubers, and heritage rice, making the food of South Canara maximalist compared to elsewhere in India.
The cuisine varies from sub-sect to sub-sect, with Brahmins, Konkanis, Mangaloreans, Bunts, Billavas, and Mogaveeras each contributing unique dishes. The region is a kaleidoscope of flavors, with a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
