ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಮಂದಿ
Naavu Namma Mandi is a cultural community from North Karnataka in Malaysia, bringing together people who love our Kannada language, culture, traditions and food. From Rotti Habba and Siridhanya (Millet) festivals to our traditional cuisine, we create moments to connect, celebrate and keep our roots alive. 🌾
Jolada rotti, ennegai and shenga chutney — bringing the bold, distinct taste of North Karnataka's kitchens to our gatherings here.
Celebrating our Rotti Habba and Siridhanya (Millet) festivals, keeping the food traditions of home alive in Malaysia.
A gathering place for North Karnataka families in Malaysia — "naavu namma mandi" means "we, our people."
Uttara Karnataka (North Karnataka) covers districts like Belagavi, Dharwad, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Gadag, Haveri, Ballari, Koppal, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur and Bidar — a region often split historically into "Kittur Karnataka" and "Kalyana Karnataka." It has its own unmistakable dialect of Kannada, famous for its direct, earthy and affectionate way of speaking, full of words and expressions you won't hear further south.
This is also the land of Basavanna and the 12th-century Lingayat Vachana movement centered around Basavakalyan, the Chalukyan heritage of Badami and Pattadakal, and the ruins of the Vijayanagara empire at Hampi. Hubli-Dharwad is celebrated as a cradle of Hindustani classical music, having produced legends like Bhimsen Joshi, Gangubai Hangal and Mallikarjun Mansur. And then there's the food — jowar-based jolada rotti, ennegai (stuffed brinjal curry), shenga chutney pudi and the famous Dharwad peda and Belgaum kunda — simple, hearty and full of flavor.
For North Karnataka families in Malaysia, Naavu Namma Mandi is where that dialect, that food and that warmth come alive again.
This group is still growing — reach out if you'd like to be listed here or help organize gatherings.
Message us on WhatsApp to find out about upcoming gatherings and how to get involved.