Media Release

Oman, Nov 29: The ‘children’s talent show’ – a platform for young Billawas to showcase their talent – and the celebration of ‘Vanasda Parba’ – the Annual Food Festival of the Billawa community in Oman was held on November 22, at the Al Maasa Hall at Ruwi, Oman.

More than 400 Oman Billawas with their families had assembled to participate in this event.

The heavy rain and the sultry weather notwithstanding, the Billawa community in Oman were present in full strength to participate in the day’s proceedings.

The programme commenced with the lamp being lit by the president, committee members and ladies wing members. Suchethana Anchan and Umesh Jeppu welcomed the gathering and appreciated the overwhelming participation of the ladies and children, duly supported by the men.

The president Ashok Suvarna while welcoming the gathering appreciated the keen interest taken by the Women’s Wing, who have been functioning as a great team in bringing out a number of such programs. The vice president SK Poojary, in his speech seconded the presidents words.The day was filled with food, fun and frolic for the children, ladies as well as men folk, as the ‘Biruvedis’ had planned out an exciting

evening for all those who had gathered there, by organising a “Children’s Talent Show”, followed by the “Vanasda Parba”. 

The tiny tots, juniors as well as senior children participated in large numbers in the various activities, competing among themselves, proving a point to the elders, who cheered and encouraged the children as the events unfolded one after the other.

There were ‘Shlokha recitals’, ‘Fancy dress’, Singing and Dance competitions for various age groups, with the youngest competitor being 1 year old and the oldest 12 years old. The programme was immensely enjoyed by everyone with melodious Songs and Karaoke Music by our fellow Billawa male & female members, as well as children, ably supported by members of the Cultural wing.

The children were judged by the in-house panel of judges consisting of Prashanthi Suvarna, Akshatha Amin, Shreya Bangera, Rajnish Sanil, and Harish Sanil.  

The winners of the various events were:

Dancing Gr. 1 (Age: 3- 7 years): Sayi Gyan Sudesh, Prisha Sudhir 
Dancing Gr. 2 (Age: 8 years & above): Prachi Sandip, Gauri G. Poojary, Mithali A Sudhir
Singing Gr. 1 (Age: 3- 7 years): Sayi Gyan Sudesh, Diya Subhakar 
Singing Gr. 2 (Age: 8 years & above): Rija and Raj Kotian, Dhyan  R. Poojary, Janvi Kotian
Shloka Reciting Gr. 1 (Age: 3- 7 years): Sayi Gyan Sudesh, Diya Guruprasad, Prisha Sudhir
Shloka Reciting Gr. 2 (Age: 8 years & above), Mithali A Sudhir, Gauri  G. Poojary, Varun Bangera
Fancy Dress Gr. 1 (Age: 1-3 years): Ayush Amin, Chiranvi Salian, Sanabhi Ail
Fancy Dress Gr. 2 (Age: 4- 7 years): Dhyan  R. Poojary, Sayi Gyan Sudesh, Likitha S. Kotian
Fancy Dress Gr. 3 (Age: 8 years & above): Spoorthy Shankar  

Spot prizes were given away to members, who participated and won in the various quizzes & games arranged on this occasion.

The women had taken lots of trouble to prepare delicious, mouth-watering, authentic Manglorean home-made delicacies. Even some of our young bachelors tried out their culinary skills to prepare some more popular dishes.

Apart from Muscat, ladies from Al Khodh, Seeb, Barkha, Nizwa, Wudham, Sohar and Ibri had taken the trouble of cooking delicious Manglorean cuisine and participated in this family get-together.

The ladies had proudly displayed an abundant variety of Vegetarian & Non-vegetarian mouth-watering Mangalorean dishes. It consisted of Kori-sukka, Kori Gasi, Mutton curry, Fish fry, Fish pulimunchi, Fish curry, Egg masala, Egg curry, Boiled egg, Ettida poditha chutney, etc. For the Vegetarians, there was Kadle manoli, Batata batani, Kudutha Chutney, Padengi batata, Bambe kadle gassi, different types of Sambar etc. Also in abundance, one could find Neer-dosas, Appa, Semeda-adde, Pundis, Gunda, Kottige, Pathrode, Idlis, Bareda iretha gatti, Manjalda iretha gatti, Ghee rice, Pulao, Biriyani, Boiled rice and Rottis, not to mention a variety of Salads/raithas, Chatpata pickles, Chutney’s, Payasams and different kinds of sweets.

The evening of celebration came to a close with the Raffle draw where 11 high value gifts like LED TV, Microwave oven, Watch,Perfume, Dinner sets, etc., were given away to the lucky winners, before dinner.

The function was an overwhelming success, thanks to support from our members, M/s Ashok Suvarna, Dr Anchan CK, Shankar Uppoor and Manohar Salian. Each and every member along with their families thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment by the children, followed by the sumptuous food, which had everyone floored.

This was another well-deserved feather in the cap of the Women’s wing of Oman Billawas.