Dubai: Comedy, glamour, tradition blend at splendid Tulu Parba
Pics: Prakash D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (SP)
Dubai, Jun 22: UAE Tulu Koota has completed 23 years of service to the cause of Tulu language and culture in Gulf region. The Koota, which has been engaged in the task of uniting people speaking Tulu language spread over the Gulf region, organized ‘Tulu Parba – 2013’ on Friday June 21. The programme turned out to be highly successful, not only because of its grandeur, but also on account of its rich cultural content.
‘Tulu Parba’ was celebrated at Hotel Al Nasr Leisureland Ice Rink in Dubai. It succeeded in spreading the fragrance of Tulu language and culture by transporting the audience to the treasure house of Tulu culture through exquisite presentations.
‘Tulu Koota’, which is inching closer to reaching its silver jubilee year of service to the cause of Tulu, is preparing to celebrate the same in a befitting manner. ‘Tulu Parba’, which was brought before the audiences of the region on the eve of this historic occasion, transformed the venue into a land of Tulu Nadu festival. The event succeeded in bringing alive Tulu culture, and those present felt as if they were in their motherland, taking part in a local festival.
As inaugural, meeting programme, felicitations, cultural and entertainment programmes etc carried with them the essence of Tulu land and language, the audience returned proud of themselves for being from Tulu Nadu. While those who witnessed the programme got an occasion to witness the beauty of their mother land and mother tongue, those who showcased the programmes on stage felt elated at serving their mother tongue and culture of their homeland.
C R Shetty, chief convener of Tulu Koota, was the guiding force behind the holding of this programme. Every programme which unfolded in front of the eyes of the audiences maintained a standard which conformed to Tulu tradition, without compromising on grandeur. It was no doubt an effort towards carrying Tulu language and culture to greater heights and making them more popular.
Tulu Nadu has always been known as a land of rich traditions where unity in diversity has remained the main essence. Tulu has brought people from different religions, languages, castes, and systems of faith together. Efforts like ‘Tulu Parba’ will definitely achieve the goal of making people from other countries and regions aware of the cultural richness of Tulu Nadu. The presentation of village life from Tulu Nadu, fragrance of Jasmine, programmes like Yakshagana and other art forms, dance drama, tiger dance, Bhoota Kola, cock fight etc enabled Tuluvas living in Dubai to experience their own culture to the fullest.
Well-known comedians of Tulu theatre, Devadas Kapikad, Navin D Padil, and Bhojaraj Vamanjoor, succeeded in eliciting peels of laughter from the audiences by enacting short comic scenes from Tulu plays, ‘Eer Doora’ and ‘Pudar Deetijji’. Another highlight of the programme was the musical entertainment programme presented by renowned singer, Harish Sherigar and troupe. Sherigar is the managing director of Acme Building Materials, Dubai.
An attractive procession accompanied by Chende, Maddale, other musical instruments, Yakshagana, Huli Vesha, Kambala and chariots carrying Kailasa and Bharat Mata, provided the youth an occasion to celebrate and enthusiastically take part thereof.
After the inaugural of the programme, M P Singh of the department of labour from the Indian Embassy expressed happiness at the cultural variety of Tuluvas. He noted that Tuluvas, who are known for honesty and hard work, also excelled in banking sector.
Dr Mohan Alva of Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri, said that Tulu has continued to survive and grow because of the ancestors who built this culture and language on strong foundation. Former president of Tulu Sahitya Academy, Umanath Kotian, Tulu theatre personality, Devadas Kapikad, and orator, Dr Putturaya, exhorted the Tuluvas to work to strengthen Tulu language.
M P Singh, Dr Putturaya, Umanath Kotian, Devadas Kapikad, and entrepreneur, Karnur Mohan Rai, were honoured on the occasion. Mementoes were handed over to promoters of the programme, Acme Building Materials managing director, Harish Sherigar, Bahrain Kannada Sangha president, Rajkumar, Sashi Shetty, Vaastu expert, Ashok Purohit, Shekhar Shetty of Arab Udupi Hotel, president of Abu Dhabai Karnataka Sangh, Sarvotham Shetty, president of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, Satish Poojary, owner of Fortune Group of Hotels, Pravin Shetty etc.
Tulu Koota convener, C R Shetty, Girish Shetty, organizing secretary, K S Tantri, treasurer, Daya Kirodian, and others were present.
A dance drama titled ‘Tulu Nadu’ directed by Jasmita Vivek, ‘Mantravadi Mahatme’ a short skit presented by Gammath Artistes, Kangeelu dance presented by Mogaveers Dubai, Konkani dance, fashion show, ‘Jai Ganesh’ dance drama presented by Boys Zone etc attracted attention in particular.
Deepak and Jeshta, Sarvotham Shetty, and Karnur Mohan Rai presented the programme. An exhibition arranged on the sidelines, where various agricultural and other implements were exhibited, also came in for appreciation. An identical petty shop or ‘Goodangadi’ found in Tulu Nadu, which was set up at the venue, attracted attention. Traditional eatables of Tulu Nadu like Urduda Vade, Chattambade, Idli, Mysore Bonda, Samosa, Goli Baje, Buns, Sajjige Bajil, Kadle Bajil, Marvayi Pundi, Manjilda Ireta Gatti, Shemige Per, Kori Rotti, Idli Kori Gasi, Kori Sukka, Neer Dose Kori, Ganji Chatni, Tekkare Talli, etc were made available at the programme.