Mangaluru's Cricketing Legacy Immortalized in New Book

Last month, the Mangaluru chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Art Kanara Trust, celebrated the region's cricketing legacy with the launch of a new book and a photography exhibition. The book, titled 'Red Cherries on the Canara Coast: The Story of Cricket in Mangaluru and Udupi', was authored by Jayanth Kodkani, a former associate editor of 'The Times of India'.

Speaking at the event, former minister J Krishna Palemar praised the efforts to document Mangaluru's rich cricketing history, stating that it is not an easy task. He said the book will serve as a valuable resource for future generations to understand the region's deep connection to the sport. Kodkani noted that while cricket came to India through the British, it also found a home in cities like Mangalore in the late 19th century.

The book explores fascinating stories of cricket in Mangaluru, including the vibrant gully cricket culture that takes place on the city's busy streets. It also highlights the achievements of renowned cricketers from the region, such as KL Rahul and Budhi Kunderan from Udupi. The event also felicitated Kasturi Balakrishna Pai, a passionate cricketer and former umpire, for his contributions to the project.