Report: KB Jagdish Achar, Bahrain

Bahrain, Nov 12: It was a memorable celebration of sixth Shri Vishwakarma Pooja which marked the fifth anniversary day of Shri Vishwakarma Seva Balaga, Kingdom of Bahrain.

The morning session of Pooja Mahotsav rituals started off by Kalasha Prathishta by the renowned astrologer, world famous Vastu consultant and gem stone specialist , Guruji Shri Ashok Purohith from Mumbai. It was continued by lighting the lamp by Balaga working committee members and followed by the recitation of Shri Vishwakarma and Shri Kalikamba Stotras by the ladies wing.

The Bhajan session headed by Pradeep Karkala and Rajesh Kodethur and assisted by Divyaraj Rai on keyboard and Yakshith Shetty on tabla and dholak, created a mesmerizing atmosphere for couple of hours. After the Mahamangalarathi Pooja and distribution of Prasadam to the devotees in the noon session, sumptuous Annasantharpane-Mahaprasadam was served to one and all present at the premises. Shri Ullal Sathish Acharya and Reshma Sathish were the couple present for the pooja proceedings.

The fifth anniversary celebration programme began in the evening at the same venue with prayer of invocation to lord Vighneshwara by Kumari Divya Damodar and followed by welcome dance Pushpanjali by Kumari Anany A Rajesh.

Sadashiva Acharya, the president of the Balaga, read out the welcome speech, briefing the activities of Balaga for the last five years, in a nutshell.

Samskriti-Sam 2015 Bhramwasa kick started by the versatile singer and Kannada music director from Udupi, Yashwanth MG. Acharya and the nightingale of Karnataka Kumari Shruthi from Bangalore, led by Bahrain’s well known orchestra group Biju Rajan and team.

The centre of attraction was Ganesh MR Acharya from Chickmagalur, an aspiring artist. Thread art, fast painting and glue art are his forte and he is excellent in Oil painting, water painting, Tanjavur painting, Rangoli and Mehndi etc to name a few.

Ganesh Acharya performed live the thread art and fast painting to the tunes of Yashwanth and Kumari Shruthi amid the thunderous applause from the fantastic audience.

This musical extravaganza continued with dance numbers by the super kids of our Balaga namely Sahil, Swapnil, Ananya, Ashish M, Saakshi, Ashish S, Ronith, Aishwarya, Shreeya, Manvith, Abhinav, Jennifer,Anshul, Aaditya, ably supported by Santosh Kumar and the choreographer Preetham Acharya, Bantwal.

Ashok Purohith, Mumbai was the chief guest and Smt & Shri Shantharam Shetty, group general manager of Ramee Group of Hotels were the guest of honour for the day’s cultural programme. Both the chief guest and guest of honour were honoured with shawl, fruit basket and citation of Balaga, by president Sadashiva Acharya, in the august presence of the presidents of GSS Bahrain Billawas, Bunts Bahrain, Karnataka Social Club, Kulal Sangha, Vishwakala Samskarika Vedi and all other cultural organizations in Bahrain.

The respected artists from Karnataka, singer and music director Yashwanth MG Acharya, Udupi, Kumari Shruthi from Bangalore and Ganesh MR Acharya from Chickamaglur were felicitated by Ashok Purohith, Asha Shantharam Shetty and Pradeep Kumar, president of Viswakala Samskarika Vedi, Bahrain respectively, with shawl, fruit basket and citation.

The budding choreographer, Preetham Acharya, Bantwal was honoured with citation, shawl and fruit basket by the president Sadashiva Acharya and founder president KB Jagdish Achar, in the presence of all dignitaries and Nrityaroopaka artists on the dais.

Some of the local talents of our Balaga, Sharvani Manjunath, Pradeep Karkala, Kumari Divya Damodar and Harini Sunil also joined the orchestra of Baju Rajan & team, singing few memorable songs to the clapping and whistle of lovely audience.

The honourable presidents of all the cultural organizations in Bahrain were presented with mementos as a token of respect and appreciation.

NAMANA a multi colour Souvenir, depicting our Balaga activities for the last five years, was released by Ashok Purohith and Smt & Shri Shantharam Shetty.

Ullas Kadri, marketing manager of Inland Group, Mangalore, who supported our cause, was welcomed by our Balaga with a flower bouquet. He gave a brief introduction of their establishment to the satisfaction of the audience.

The highlight of the day’s proceedings was undoubtedly the stupendous performance of Vishwakarma Nrithya Roopaka presented by the ever enthusiastic ladies wing members namely, Savitha Natesh, Sharvani Manjunath, Reshma Sathish, Harini Sunil, Mohini Sadashiva, Hema Surendra, Vinutha Harish, Kumari Ananya Rajesh and Kumari Saakshi Sharath, supported by Santhosh Acharya, Bhaskar Acharya, Keshav Acharya and superbly choreographed by Preetham C Acharya, Bantwal.

On this memorable occasion, we declared four recipients names of scholarships awarded to the academically brilliant but financially backward students of our community, from undivided Dakshina Kannada dist i.e, Mangaluru and Udupi. Arun Airody, the multitalented personality from Bahrain handed over gifts to three artists of Karnataka, as a token of appreciation.

The day long programme was ably presented by the master of ceremony, KB Jagdish Achar, the founder president of Balaga, proposed vote of thanks to all the well wishers, who made this function a memorable one; supported by Sudhir Acharya, the entertainment secretary.