by Gladson D almeida
Pics by Alexis Castelino
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, May 12: ‘Ei Baale Nammavu’’, a Tulu play by Kala Jagathu Mumbai was indeed the centre of attraction of the annual celebrations of Tulu Koota. The play based on a real-life story evoke emotive response from the full-house weekend audience at the Doha Cinema on May 11, 2012. But it was Justice N Santhosh Hegde, the former Lokayukta of Karnataka who stole the limelight during his brief address to the gathering as the guest of honour of the evening.
Justice Hegde has been the epitome of sincerity and commitment all throughout his career spanning almost over 45 years as advocate, advocate general, solicitor general, Justice of the Supreme Court. But it was his stint as the Lokayukta of Karnataka that begun in August 2006 that will always be remembered by all. He was the rock who withstood the onslaught of corrupt politicians and equally ineffective bureaucracy. It was his commitment to duty and self awareness of being a public servant that sent shivers down the spine of the corrupt Karnataka politicians. He did not succumb to pressure, nor did he favour the powerful.
“I never did anything outside the purview of my post. I did only those things and took only those steps which my post required me to do. I just allowed the law to take its own course and oversaw that same yardstick is applied to public and public servants. So do not exalt me to the pedestal. I have done nothing extraordinary. But the situation is such today that people who are supposed to discharge their duties honestly aren’t doing it. So if anyone comes in and does what is supposed to do people consider him to be the savior which baffles me the most. Let’s be clear that unless we acquire humanitarian considerations during the course of life, we will never transform into human from man,” he said during his short address that drove the audience to give him a standing ovation as he ended his address almost declaring his assets. It was a rare thing to happen that a man of great repute and considerable social standing did take courage to announce what he acquired during 45 years of his public life. Further it was the apt day to speak on corruption and his crusade against corruption since the Supreme Court’s Friday directive to CBI to file case against former CM of Karnataka Yeddyurappa based on CEC report slap on former CM’s face who had at one point of time had accused Justice Hegde of joining hands with the opposition in order to finish his political career.
“I can say with pride that my life as public servant has been without blemish. All that I have acquired after 45 years of career is an apartment in Bangalore and a few lacs of rupees. If anyone has doubts about this, can initiate enquiry into my assets. If at all I had anything to hide, don’t you think it would have been exposed by now since I was taking on some of the most powerful ones all these days who could stoop to any level to prove me wrong? he asked.
Prior to this he was introduced to the gathering and was felicitate by former president of the Tulu Koota and managing director of ATS Qatar Ravi Shetty. The dais at the Doha cinema was also honoured with the presence of eminent Tuluva, scholar, former president of the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Vamana Nandavar and his wife Chandrakala Nandavar, a well-known poetess, writer and former principle of Ganapathy College, Mangalore. The couple was also felicitated by Tulu Koota general secretary Sandesh Anand and cultural secretary Archana Shetty. Dr Vamana Nandavar in his address praised the Tuluvas in Qatar for giving their best in promoting and nurturing Tulu culture and traditions and beseeched the gathering to pass on the traditions to the next generations. Chandrakala Nandavar presented a Tulu poem penned by her illustrious husband Vamana Nandavar.
Kala Jagathu, Mumbai needs no introduction. The organization started in 1979 with the mission to preserve, promote and further Tulu culture and traditions through various means including Tulu plays, has over the years carved a niche for itself across among the Tulu-speaking community in Mumbai, undivided Dakshina Kannada and even abroad. Kala Jagathu founder Tonse Vijaykumar Shetty too was present on the occasion. He introduced the gathering by fomer president of the Koota Prakashchandra Ajila and was honoured by Chidanand Naik, the area manager of M Pallonji Qatar.
In his address he highlighted the reality of the day wherein Tulu culture is being sidelined by the present generation due to various reasons. “Our festivities which are a unique part of our culture and which give us identity have become rarity these days. Our children are hardly aware about the rich traditions of Tulu, abound wealth of native traditions. Unless we make efforts to teach them the nuances of our culture and traditions, their tomorrow will be pale. They are already devoid of emotions since there are hardly relations among them. Let’s make all out efforts to make our children aware of their roots,” he exhorted.
India’s ambassador to Qatar Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa who always makes it a point to attend any of the programmes organized by Tulu Koota and other cultural organizations of Kannadigas was the chief guest of the evening. In her short address she said that it has been her pleasure to attend programmes organized by Tulu Koota as she too hails from Kannur, which is situated at a short distance of the Tulunadu. She was felicitated on the occasion by Ramachandra Shetty and his wife.
Earlier the annual day celebrations began with the welcome by Divakar Poojary and Prathana Shetty, the comperes of the stage programme. This was followed by welcome dance by the Koota children. The welcome dance was choreographed by Akshaya Shetty. The celebrations were formally inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the guests on the dais along with the Tulu Koota executive committee members. Ramachandra Shetty, the president of the Tulu Koota extended a formal welcome address after which Koota’s annual report was presented by general secretary Sandesh Anand.
Tulu Koota Qatar ladies throwball team which has been undisputed champions of MCC annual throwball tournament was honoured on this occasion. A special felicitation was offered to three volunteers of Tulu Koota, Shreedhar Nayak, Nitesh D and Sunil Bhandari for their yeoman’s service to the organization. Tulu Koota vice-president Asmath, general secretary Sandesh Anand and cultural secretary Archana Shetty too were present on the dais. Koota treasurer Sitaram Shetty proposed the vote of thanks.
Once the official programme was over, the stage was thrown open for Kala Jagathu Mumbai. The play Ei Baal Nammavu, written and directed by Tonse Vijaykumar Shetty shook the audiences emotions with its strong story-line that was broadly based on family life. Senior stage actors such as Krishnaraj Shetty, Sudha Shetty, Ashok Pakkala, Raghuveer Bhat, Harish Shetty, Chandravathi Vasanth along with the Vijaykumar Shetty are proven performers. They are regular faces at the Mumbai Tulu plays and are integral part of Kala Jagathu’s success. But it was young Vaishnavi D Shetty who left an indelible impression on the audience with his superb acting skills and impeccable dialogue delivery. Her portrayal of Priya, the protagonist of the play was the highlight of the evening.
Tulu Koota has always reached out to the needy both in Qatar as well as back home. Their contribution towards India Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) too has been noteworthy. This year too was no different as Tulu Koota handed over a cheque to newly-elected president of ICBF Karim Abdulla as part of its contribution to the ICBF fund.
Chidananda naik General Manager M Pallonji Qatar and Ravi Shetty Managing Director of ATS Qatar were the main sponsor of the annual celebrations.