Mangaluru: In the rain-soaked landscape of Sirsi in Uttara Kannada, a colourful gardening movement is taking root. Centred on dahlias, locally known as ‘Dere Hoo’, it has become a source of joy, creativity and a modest income for women in Sirsi and neighbouring villages.The flowers thrive in Sirsi’s climate, making the rainy season an ideal time to grow them. At the centre of the initiative is Veda Seetaram Hegde, popularly known as Vedakka, of Neernalli village. Veda has cultivated dahlias for more than a decade in her home garden, and also uses grow bags to cultivate them.As the flowers began attracting attention, Veda felt more women should be encouraged to take up gardening. With the support of her friend Anjana Bhat, she transformed the idea into the ‘Dere Mela’, or Dahlia Mela.“The mela gives women an opportunity to use their spare time and take up gardening. After the monsoon, many women become busy with arecanut plantations and other agricultural work. During the monsoon, it is a good opportunity for them to experiment with plants,” Veda said.The mela provides a space for women to display and sell plants grown in their gardens. Dahlia plants, generally sold in grow bags with sticks for support, fetch between Rs 50 and Rs 300 each .The response has been encouraging. A dedicated WhatsApp group connects enthusiasts, and around 50 members take part in the mela. The number of women experimenting with dahlias and other ornamental plants is increasing. “The craze is so much that every June I start receiving calls from women asking when the mela will be held,” Veda said.The interest has extended beyond dahlias. Participants are experimenting with orchids, gerberas, lotuses, water lilies and anthuriums, turning their home gardens into vibrant spaces of discovery. She said that Sirsi is estimated to have between 150 and 250 varieties of dahlias cultivated by gardening enthusiasts. The mela attracts visitors from across Uttara Kannada and neighbouring areas, who come to admire and buy the plants.The Totgars’ Rural Co-operative Agricultural Multipurpose Society Ltd (TRC Sirsi) has supported the initiative by providing a venue. This year, organisers also allowed women to sell homemade food. “Dahlias are relatively easy to maintain, requiring basic care and protection from worms and insects. Once established, they can continue flowering even in summer. The mela also celebrates its participants. Two or three women are felicitated at each event, while every participant receives a certificate,Veda said.Encouraged by its popularity, Veda plans to organise a second Dahlia Mela during the Ganesha festival season.
