New Delhi: Whether it is to celebrate his record-setting tenure as Karnataka’s chief minister or to subtly indicate a renewed camaraderie with his deputy DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah’s well-known love for nati koli has once again become a talking point in political and cultural circles. The Congress veteran, who is expected to officially surpass former CM D Devaraj Urs’s long-standing record on January 6, appears set to mark this milestone in a quintessentially Karnataka way, with a grand nati koli oota in Bengaluru.
The feast would be focused on country chicken, also known as desi kukkad or murga. In Kannada, ‘nati’ means country, ‘koli’ means chicken, and ‘oota’ means meal.
CM Siddaramiah to host Nati Kali Oota
The much-loved nati koli of Karnataka is also known to be a favourite of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Simply put, nati koli refers to country chicken or the desi murga. Whether it’s cooked as a dry sukka, simmered into a flavourful saaru (gravy), or turned into a rich biryani, this traditional chicken preparation enjoys immense popularity across the state, as countless YouTube videos show.
Paired with ragi mudde, rice, dosa or idli, just as Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar enjoyed; nati koli is celebrated in multiple forms. Interestingly, when you search for nati koli online, you’ll also find plenty of tutorials on how to set up small farms to rear these birds.
Country chicken has a distinct flavour and texture compared to regular broiler chicken, making it a favourite across India. Known as desi murga in the north and nati koli in Karnataka, this rustic, flavourful bird enjoys an equally loyal following in every region.
Whether enjoyed as a favourite dish or as a sign of bonding, nati koli has become closely associated with Siddaramaiah. Now, as he prepares to surpass D Devaraj Urs’s record, the planned nati koli oota in Bengaluru will not only satisfy taste buds but also honour a meal that holds a special place in the Karnataka Chief Minister’s heart.