Dubai: Grand Performances, Competitions,Mark UAE Bunts’ ‘Kood Kut’
by Jovin D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (SP)
Dubai, May 7: The 37th get-together (Kood Kut) of the members of Bunts community settled in UAE was organized in a grand manner at Crown Plaza Jumeirah Auditorium on Friday May 6.
Padma Shri Dr B R Shetty, presidents of various Bunts’ associations from neighbouring Gulf countries, Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, who had come especially for the programme from Mangalore in the capacity of guest, chief organizer, Sarvottam Shetty, and other guests were given a grand welcome by the members of the executive committee with Kalashas, as Kerelite artistes of ‘Panchavadya’ team played their instruments.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by Dr B R Shetty, Dr Chandrakumari R Shetty, presidents of various Bunts associations, and members of the executive committee. After welcome song was rendered by the members under the direction of Kiran Shetty, Santosh Shetty extended a hearty welcome to all the Bunts community members who had participated in the programme.
A prayer dance, ‘Mahaganapati Shruti’, was performed by Aishwarya Ganesh Rai, and Anusha Vinayakumar Shetty. This dance performance was directed by Manjula Ganesh Rai and Amrita Vinay Shetty.
For the first time in the history of UAE, this programme was beamed through ‘Namma TV’ channel of Karnataka coast. A number of other programmes like ‘Bollywood Mix’ presented by tiny tots from Dubai, ‘Sanskriti’, dance performance depicting different cultures in India, which was presented by the children from Abu Dhabi, and in which celebration of various festivals were included, came off beautifully. ‘Fashion Show’ presented by Jayashree Shetty, Sandeep Shetty and their troupe, also came in for profuse appreciation of the crowd.
At the programme, death of Bunts community members and others who perished in the air crash in Mangalore last year was mourned, and tributes were paid to them, and also those who breathed their last in the recent past.
The current executive members were invited on stage and appreciated for their selfless service. New executive committee was also formed, and the members of the new committee were introduced to the audience. Honorary guests who attended the programme, like Pradeep Shetty of Bahrain Bunts, Dr Preeti Shetty of Kuwait Bunts, Ravi Shetty of Qatar Bunts, Mahesh Hegde of Saudia Bunts, and Lokesh Shetty, Buntara Sangha Bantwal, were honoured by Dr B R Shetty, by draping shawls around them, and handing over bouquets.
Multi-talented Prof Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, who is well-known for his literary skills in Kannada and Tulu, apart from being a Yakshagana artiste, author of plays, good orator, editor of monthly magazine, and who also has been serving in different Tulu organizations, as well as his wife, Vidya Bhaskar Rai, were honoured on behalf of all the Bunts settled in the Gulf region. Rai was conferred the title, ‘Bunta Vibhushana’ on the occasion. Ganesh Rai introduced Rai and read out the citation. Bhaskar Rai, in his response, expressed his deep-felt gratitude for this gesture.
Nagaraj and Anita Shety, who had participated as guests, were also honoured.
A programme of musical entertainment was presented by Rajesh Shetty, Prasad Shetty, Sanath Shetty, Sarita Hegde and Aishwarya Ganesh Rai. This programme was directed by Kiran Shetty. Different folk arts of Karnataka were introduced to the audience through dances. In this programme, ‘Bhootala Pandya’ team from Al Ain, which presented ‘Bhagyada Balegara’ dance under the direction of Rajani Nagaraj Shetty, won the first prize. Buntara Siri team led by Usha Shetty and directed by Rajesh Kuttar, bagged the runner up place for their ‘Kamsale’. ‘Gollara Nritya’ by ‘Abbaga Daraga’ team had to be content with third place.
In the ‘Fashion Show’ meant for couples aged above 40 years, Ganesh Rai and Manjula couple was adjudged the toppers. Lokanath Shetty and Vasanta Shetty were placed second. Dr B R Shetty couple inaugurated the Fashion Show through their cat walk. Vishwanath, who donned the role of ‘Mayada Guliga’, Sandeep Shetty for film direction, and students who scored high marks in academic field for the year 2010-11, were felicitated.
Dr B R Shetty appreciated the efforts of the executive committee of UAE Bunts for organizing the programme in a grand manner under the guidance of Sarvottam Shetty.