Pics: Daya Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Sep 30: Rajesh Prabhu, a well known entrepreneur and managing director of Vaishnavi Cargo created a platform to stage communal harmony through tiger dance contest, on account of Dasara here at Morgansgate, on Friday, September 29.
Emme Kere Friends Circle emerged winners in 'Pili Pajje', a tiger dance competition organised by Tiger’s Camp, Jeppu Friends in association with Daijiworld247. The competition was held at a special stage built at Kalyanostva Ground, Morgansgate. Emme Kere Friends Circle took home a cash prize of Rs one lac for their outstanding performance. Shri Maruthi Vyayama Shale succeeded to bag the first runner-up’s place and Rs 60,000 while Rajalakshmi secured the second runner-up spot with a cash prize of Rs 40,000.
From the past twenty five years, Rajesh Prabhu, under the banner of Jeppu Friends, has been organizing tiger dance at Kalyanostava Ground. This year, the association had planned to conduct tiger dance competition on the occasion of completion of twenty fifth years as well as to popularize tiger dance. Rajesh Prabhu is the main pillar of the event. He has engaged in social, educational and religious fields in the last 10 years. Every year, he and his 250 member team which includes all community members celebrate Christmas, Ganeshostava and Iftar in a very grand manner.
It was heartening to see, people from all walks of life participating in tiger dancer (Pili Nalike). Various troupes and a massive crowd belonging to all communities gathered throughout the day at the venue irrespective of religion.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Rajesh Prabhu said, “We are human first, religion is afterwards. I love to organise events here in front of my houseon every occasion, be it Eid, Christmas, Chaturthi, Deepavali or Dasara. People from all walks of life come here, show unity and enjoy entertainment programmes. This year we received massive support from everyone. If God permits, we will organise an event in a much bigger level.”
Top eight tiger dance teams performed to show their talent in the purest form of tiger dance. The competition was judged by prominent and experts of tiger dance. Along with thousand of viewers and tiger dance lovers, many Coastalwood and Sandalwood stars, representatives of the region and prominent personalities of the city graced the competition.
Earlier, Vedamoorthi Lakshminarayana Asranna, priest, Kateel Shri Durga Parameshwari and T R Suresh, police commissioner of Mangaluru inaugurated the competition. MLA J R Lobo, DCP Hanumantaraya, founder and Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief of Daijiworld were present.
DCP Hanumantaraya hailed Jeppu Friends and Rajesh Prabhu’s initiative to keep Tulunadu tradition alive. He conveyed his Dasara wishes to people on behalf of the police department. He was honoured with shawl, memento and fruits for his valuable presence despite his busy schedule.
Wishing success to all competitors J R Lobo said, "Tiger dance is a part of our culture. Without this dance, there is no Dasara in Tulunadu. It unites us with our neighborhood and the entire region. Mangaluru Dasara is getting more popularity these days. Dasara here stands after Mysuru Dasara in the state, which is a proud fact for all of us. Tiger dance competitions like 'Pili Pajje' will help to popularize our culture and heritage. I wish all the best for all the teams who will participate in 'Pili Pajje'.”
Walter Nandalike said, "It is nice to watch tiger dance live. The steps performed here are really amazing. It makes viewers to involve in the dance automatically. It also promotes Tulunadu’s culture and art forms. I salute the organizers for holding such a wonderful competition. It should continue in the coming years also.”
The competition started in the morning and it continued the whole day. Emme Kere Friends circle, MGT Mulihitlu, Rajalakhmi Hoige Bazar, Shri Maruthi Vyayama Shale, Puraldappena Jokulu Polali, Gorakshanatha Huli, Geleyara Balaga Harekere, and Pandeshwara Sharada Huli were the participants.
The supporters of teams arrived in the morning itself to the venue and gathered around the stage. Beside this, thousands of tiger dance lovers enjoyed the competition. Emme Kere Friends Circle who won the title were the main attraction of the competition. Majority of members of the troupe were from the Muslim community. They mesmerized the audience with their perfection in traditional steps and received huge applause from gathering.