Media Release
Muscat, Apr 30: The vibrant Oman Billawa community marked its eighth anniversary celebrations with grandeur at Hotel Al Falaj, Grand Hall here recently, in the presence of over 650 members from across Oman.
The auspicious day was celebrated with grandeur and oneness. Dr Rajshekar Kotian and Nithyanand Kotian, two great Billawa personalities who have contributed immensely towards the growth of the Billawas graced the occasion. Dr Rajshekar Kotian is a film producer, director, actor and recipient of various laurels for his contribution to the society. Nithyanand Kotian is the president of Billawara Association Mumbai, stalwart leader of the Billawas, key person in the development of Bharat Bank and the community.
Other distinguished dignitaries who attended the event were Satish Poojary, president and Anand, trustee from Billawas Duabi and Northern Emirates, Harish D Salian, hotelier and social reveler from Mumbai and Naveen, businessman from Dubai.
It was an entire day's event, from 9.30 am till 6 pm. The day began with lighting of the lamp by the invited dignitaries and office bearers of Oman Billawas. Various entertainment programmes like fusion dance, Bollywood dance, group dance by ladies, comedy skits, flash mob, drama and Mangaluru traditional show, performed by over 100 members of Oman Billawas, from young children to elderly members, kept everyone's spirits alive. More than 18 brilliant performances brought the Tulu culture on stage.
Dr Anchan C K, vice president, welcomed the dignitaries and thanked the members for their continued support in making Oman Billawas an epitome of oneness, S K Poojary, president,in his keynote address personally thanked Dr Rajshekar Kotian and Nithyanand Kotian and the other dignitaries for gracing the occasion and making the day eventful by their presence. He urged the members to come forward, participate and to be united.
Ashok Suvarna, president conveyed the importance of education and urged the members to continue the spirit of scholarships by Oman Billawas. He stated that this year they should target a minimum of 100 students. Umesh Bantwal in his speech explained how the organization has grown and strengthened over the years. K N Sudhir Kumar addressed the gathering and thanked Alke and the other founding members. He commended Oman Billawas for being a role model for other communities in Oman.
Oman Billawas honoured Dr Rajshekar Kotian, Nithyanand Kotian, Harish Salian, Satish Poojary, Anand and Naveen. Dr Rajshekar Kotian and Nithyanand Kotian were honoured by S K Poojary, Ashok Suvarna, Dr Anchan C K, Umesh Bantwal and Kushal Bangera. Harish Salian was honoured by S K Poojary, Suchetna Anchan, Neel Anchan, Suvi Bangara, Kavita Sanil, Madhuri Suvarna and Prafulla Poojary.
Satish Poojary was honoured by S K Poojary, Gangadhar Poojary, Shankar Uppoor, Sujith Anchan, Mahesh Salian and Manohar Salian.
Anand was honoured by S K Poojary, Chandrakant Kotian, K N Anchan, Sudhir N K and Shivprakash Kampala.
Naveen was honoured by K N Sudhir Kumar, Umesh Poojary, Narayan Kotian, Krishna Prasad and Harish Suvarna.
Dr Rajshekar Kotian in his dynamic speech said that the Billawas as a community is forging ahead. It is a great time for the Billawas, as they are gaining a foothold in every field. Keeping in mind the value of culture it is of importance that they must continue to progress. He thanked S K Poojary, Ashok Suvarna, Dr Anchan C K and Umesh Bantwal for their astute leadership ability and keeping the spirit of Billawas in such great momentum in Oman.
Nithyanand Kotian in his prolific speech mentioned the positive change in times. The younger generation of Billawas have taken on the responsibility and are creating a niche for themselves in the international arena. He conveyed his regards on behalf of Jaya C Suvarna and thanked S K Poojary and Dr Anchan for extending a personal invitation. He requested the Oman Billawa members to carry on the spirit of togetherness and wished for the betterment of each member.
'Hand out' on Khestra Gejjegiri was launched by Dr RajshekarKotain and other respected dignitaries. Sujith Anchan on behalf Oman Billawas extended his thanks to those members who have come forward and supported the project wholeheartedly. He requested the members to come forward and support generously and not to miss out on this once in a life time opportunity.
To commensurate the annual day and to make it memorable, the second edition of souvenir was launched by Vimala K Anchan (mother of Dr Anchan C K) and other dignitaries with great applause to Dr Anchan C K for taking the entire effort and bringing out a souvenir which will etch a long lasting memory.
Dr Anchan thanked the souvenir fund collection team headed by H Suhan, Manhoar Salian, Shanker Uppoor, Gangadhar Poojary, K N Anchan, Sujith Anchan, Madhu Suvarna, Madhuri Suvarna, Prafulla Shankar, Sudhir N K, Shivprakash, Harish Poojary, Krishna Prasad, Amrit Poojary, Karthik Kunder, Vishwanath, Umesh Jeppu, Surendra Amin, Harish Poojary, Sunil Salian, Ramkrishna Bardila, Naveen Kotian, Kaushik Attavar, Ramesh Poojary and Shamith.
Suhan (Manohar and Shankar Uppoor collected the memento), Sujith Anchan, Prafulla Shankar and M Harish Poojary were acknowledged with mementoes by the president, for their exemplary service towards souvenir fund collection
Kushal Bangera, general secretary of Oman Billawas, along with his wife Geeta Bangera and daughter Shreya Bangera were felicitated by the president and the other members of the committee for his relentless service and contribution towards the development of Oman Billawas. Kushal Bangera in his farewell speech thanked the entire Billawa community and wished happiness and success. He bid adieu to Oman.
For their continued support as sponsors the following members - Mahesh Salian, Uday Kumar, Ashok Poojary, Jayendra Poojary, Vaishali Suvarna (on behalf of Ashok Suvarna) and Dr Anchan C K - were thanked personally by the president S K Poojary by inviting them over to the stage and thanking them through flower bouquets. Dr Anchan C K on behalf of Oman Billawas profoundly thanked all the sponsors, supporters, volunteers, participants and all other members who have directly or indirectly contributed toward the success of the annual day. He thanked the audience for being there in large numbers.
Oman Billawas expressed special thanks to the entire Sohar Team for their true spirit of oneness, right from souvenir fund collection to participation in the cultural activities. They also appreciated K N Sudhir Kumar, Umesh Poojary, Narayan Kotian, Krishna Prasad, Harish Suvarna and the entire team of Billawas from Sohar.
Members who showed exemplary team work are also included in the note of gratitude. They included the entire cultural team Suchetna Anchan, Neel Anchan, Suvi Bangara, Kavita Sanil, Manuja Suhan, Madhuri Suvarna and Prafulla Poojary for their dedication and sincere effort in putting up such a brilliant show of over 18 teams with over 100 members participating; Gangadhar Poojary, Vishawanath and team for the hall entrance decoration, lamp and other flower decorations in the hall and other forms of support; Umesh Bantwal, Sujith Anchan and team for managing the registration and much more; and Chandrakant Kotian, K N Anchan and team for their support in ensuring the logistics and food arrangement from breakfast to lunch and tea.
Oman Billawas also expressed their gratitude and thanks to Dayanand, Vijay Kodiabail, Dinesh Attavar, Raj Sanil, Prema Umesh, Harish Suvarna, Rajendra Anchan, Vasanth Bangera, Nitin and family, Vittal and family, Prasad and family for making the annual day celebrations a success.
The following performances added colour and spark to the celebrations:
Welcome dance: Gauri Gangadhar Poojary
Kids dance (Basale): Choreographed by Pratiksha Praveen Kumar
Partipants: Divit Guru Prasad, Shamita Hari Prasad, Ishaan Boloor, Sannvi Nitin Kumar, Mahi Manohar Salian, Tvisha Prashant Kajekar, NaishaSanil, Sanabi Ayle, Vivaan Sukumar, Pramath Prashant Kajekar, Ayush Shridhar, Havish Nagesh Poojary, Nigam S Kotian, Lisha Harish.
Kids dance (Tulu Nadu Nalike) choreographed by Pratiksha Praveen Kumar.
Participants: Likhita S Kotian, Diya Guru Prasad, Apoorvi Vijay Kodialbail, Swasti Uppoor, Diya Subhakar, Anvi Arun, Tanvi C S, Poojary, Pavana Harish, Ashmith Shridhar Amin, Nishanth Salian, Dhyan R Poojary, Pavan Nitin.
Ladies fusion dance choreographed and performed by Pooja Shivprakash and Anuradha Chandresh.
Bollywood choreographed by Tanisha Boloor.
Participants: Tanisha Boloor, Gauri G Poojary, Esha Chandrakanth Kotian, Mahi Manohar Salian, Naisha Sanil and Spoorthi Uppoor
Ladies Shiv Tandav choreographed by Reema Kaushik.
Participants: Pratiksha Praveen Kumar, Prafulla Praveen Amin, Madhuri Suvarna, Divya Harish, Akshatha Rishikesh Amin, Merlyn Manohar, Shubha Sanil, Pramila Kotian,
Kavya Surender.
Ladies dance - Bale Le Le Paadga choreographed by Gokul Poojary.
Participants: Kavitha C S Poojary, Jyothi Raju Poojary, Santhoshi Nitin Kumar, Prathibha Shasiraj Kotian, Poornima Vijay Kodialbail, Vidya Kamalaksha Kotian, Amitha
Shridhar Amin, Chandrika Nagesh Poojari.
Tulu drama - Ponnu Samaajada Kannu: Writer/director, Walter Mendons.
Participants: Umesh Jeppu, Prema Umesh, Shridhar Amin, Harish Poojary, Prafulla Shanker, Pooja Shivprakash, Mahesh Salian, Vishwanath Suvarna, Amrith Poojary, Karthik Kunder, Gokul Poojary, Sharan Umesh, Kiran K Anchan, Amitha Shridhar Amin, Madhuri Suvarna, Prathima Surender, Divya Harish, Divya Surender, Sudesh Poojary, Ramakrishna, Likitha S Kotian, Baby Himani Sudesh, Suvi Bangara, Suchetana Anchan, Neel Anchan, Asha Salian, Kavitha Sanil.
Comedy skit: Samajogu Bolpaale - directed by Shamith Bangera.
Participants: Shamith Bangera, Sharath Kotian, Sunil Salian, Vishwanath Suvarna.
Tulu drama Vridhashrama: Writer Dinesh Attavar, directed by Sandeep and Dayanand.
Participants: Dayanand Palan, Naveen Kotian, Jithu Kotian, Shamith, Vishwanath, Shiv Prasad Cherugoli, Shobha Dayanand.
Mattuda Ponnu Choreographed and performed by Prakash Kotian.
Ladies dance: Muddu Krishna Notttige Gopikeyer choreographed by Shilpa Rajendra and Ranjitha Nithin.
Participants: Shilpa Rajendra, Ranjitha Nithin, Thrisha, Vidya Harish, Veekshitha Nithin.
Kids' dance: Yaksha Chinnaru choreographed by Harsha Harikumar (Amma Institute).
Participants: Vihan H Suvarna, Trisha R Anchan, Dritik R Poojary, Niharika U Poojary, Sinchana, Rishika.
Group dance: Tulunada Porlu choreographed by Nitin Raj Suvarna Participants: Vihan H Suvarna, Trisha R Anchan, Dritik R Poojary, Rishika, Veekshitha Nithin, Ranjitha Nithin, Nithin Karkera, Vishwas Kotian, Jitendra Kotian, Niharika, Shilpa Rajendra, Vidya Harish, Harish Suvarna, Vasanth Bangera, Nithin Raj Suvarna, Lokesh G Karkera, Rajendra Anchan, Krishna Prasad, Sandesh, Deepak Poojary, Narayan Kotian, Vittal Poojary, Bhavith Pradeep, Swanik Hrithik Pushparaj, Girish.
'Itte Da Janaanga' choreographed by Amrith Poojary. Participants: Amrith Poojary, Shridhar Amin, Gokul Poojary, Sharan Bantwal, Kiran Anchan, Tanisha Boloor.
Flash mob was a new innovative addition to the day’s event, taking the annual gathering to a new level. Well conceptualized by Rishikesh Amin, beautifully choreographed by Gokul Poojary, the flash mob was a brilliant mix of participants of all ages, dancing to melodious hits. The silver lining to the flash mob was the surprise performance by the ladies cultural team, which truly depicted the oneness and connection with the audience and its participants. The performers were Gokul Poojary, Rishikesh Amin, Surinder Amin, Mahesh Salian, Amrith Poorjary, Rajneesh Sanil, Chandrakant Kotian, M Sridhar Amin, Pratiksha Praveen, Akshatha Rishiskesh Amin, Kavya Surinder and Vidya Kamlakhsha.
The grand finale marked the end of the fun-filled day, with all the participants thanking the audience and guests for their immense support.