Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Apr 27: The seventh annual day celebration of Tulu Koota Qatar, held at Delhi Public School auditorium here on Friday April 25, was a grand success with celebrities from India and young local talents presenting a beautiful and memorable show.
Tulu Koota Qatar, a socio-cultural organization of the expatriate community hailing from coastal Karnataka, affiliated to ICC under the aegis of Embassy of India with members belonging to all the communities irrespective of caste and religion, is one of the most active Karnataka-based associations in Qatar.
The 7th annual day turned out to be a huge success with a mix of local talents and celebrity guest artistes performaing on a beatifully decorated platform with a specially designed replica of Yakashagana Kireeta as the backdrop.
Chief guest of the evening Dr B A Viveka Rai was welcomed in a procession by children dressed in traditional attires and escorted by the executive committee members and prominent members of the associations of Karnataka in Qatar.
Event began with opening remarks by the hosts of the evening Archana Shetty and Naveen Shetty followed by the lighting of the Lamp by the Chief Guest, Platinum Sponsor of the event Bunts Qatar President and Philanthropist Ravi Shetty, Diamond Sponsor and Vice President of the association Asmath Ali, TuluKoota President Seethram Shetty and Executive committee members were present on the dias.
Fusion of all classical dance forms of India (Kathak, Bharathnatyam, Kuchupudi, Mohiniyatam) were performed by Tulu Koota ladies and children, and also Yakshagana by children, welcoming the gathering in a unique style. This dance was choreographed by Padmashree Shetty and Dimple Nair.
Internationally acclaimed flutist Pandit Pravin Godkhindi enthralled the crowd throughout the evening with his melodious flute performance. Leading Sandalwood playback singers Hemanath Kumar and Shamitha Malnad entertained the crowd with wonderful renditions of superhit numbers.
Pushkal Kumar Thonse, mimcriy artiste from Dakshina Kannada entertained the audience with his rib-tickling comedy.
During the stage programme, Tulu Koota president Seethram Shetty welcomed the gathering and emphasized that youth should make it a point to take the initiative to learn more about their culture and language and thus pass on the culture to the next generation. In order to mark the event 'Nirel' souviner was released by the chief guest.
Chief guest Dr B A Viveka Rai, Karnataka Rajyotsava Award winner, was a professor of Kannada language, literature and folklorists in Mangalore University (1970-2004). He was the vice-chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi (2004-07) and Karnataka State Open University (2007-09), guestprofessor, department of indology,U niversity of Wurzburg,Germany. Prof Rai has contributed immensely to the field of literature. He is the author of many books, and was also a mentor of many successful research scholars. In his address he spoke about the heritage of Tulu culture and praised Tulu Koota Qatar for the hard work in preserving and promoting our rich Tulu culture in this part of the world and also for imparting these values to the younger generation. Dr B A Viveka Rai was honoured and presented with a memento on behalf of Tulu Koota Qatar.
Platinum sponsor of the event Bunts Qatar president Ravi Shetty, diamond sponsor and vice-president of the association Asmath Ali, were both honoured along with their families for their contribution and support to all activities of the Tulu Koota Qatar. Ravi Shetty in his brief speech appreciated the efforts of Tulu Koota preisident, committee members and dedicated volunteers for their consistent effort behind the success of many socio-cultural events organised by the forum.
Tulu Koota men and women team who were the winners of the prestigious Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) tournament were felicitated on the occasion. Academic achievers, children who have excelled in various sports were honoured, dance performers of the evening, volunteers and guests artistes were presented with mementos. Cultural secretary Dr Padmashree Shetty proposed the vote of thanks.
ICC acting president Gireesh Kumar, Karnataka Sangha president Deepak Shetty, KMCA president Niyaz Ahmed, SKMWA president Abdul Majeed and many other dignitaries, members of other Karnataka associations in Qatar have graced the occasion. The programme continued with a performance by the guest artists and concluded with a dinner.