Oman: Buntara Sammilana - Rich Blend of Tradition, Entertainment
Media Release
Muscat, Dec 1: Bunts community residing in Oman, celebrated their annual family get together 'Buntara Sammilana' recently at Ramee Dream Resort in Seeb. The celebration had the delightful tinge of culture and tradition.
The warm welcome at the entrance with a nourishing tender coconut, Mangalore Mallige (jasmine) and Haldi Kumkum. The entrance door was decorated with marigold flowers, Pingara, and mango leaves, and a beautiful logo was presented complete with actual Kalase, paddy, Pingara Flower, lamp, beetel leaf, areca nut etc, greeting the members of Oman Bunts and the guests. All the organizers were dressed in the traditional attire.
Activities started after a scrumptious breakfast of Tulunadu snacks. The ‘Sammilana’ commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Sarooja Shashidhar Shetty, Sudheera Diwakar Shetty, Pratibha Ramesh Shetty, Roopa Ratnakar N Shetty, Vanishree Nagesh Shetty. The programme followed by an invocation to Lord Ganesha and Prayer dance.
Shashidhar Shetty Mallar delivered the welcome and the introductory address and continued with the proceedings. Ramesh Shetty, was the comperer and anchor of the event. He kept the crowd involved in all the activities with his witty style of presentation. The games were conducted by Rathnakar N Shetty, assisted by Ashok Shetty.
The whole event was put together by Saroja and Shashidhar Shetty Mallar, Pratibha and Ramesh Shetty Mangalore, Sudheera and Divakar K Shetty Mallar, Roopa and Ratnakar N Shetty Buntakal, Vanishree and Nagesh Shetty Kinnigoly and the volunteers of Bunts of Oman.
The cultural programmes included solo, duet, and group performances of song, dance, and music.
Fascinating “Antakshari- the great challenge” was hosted by Kiran Rai and Sangeetha Kiran Rai with Saroja Shashidhar Shetty, Vinodh T Shetty, Ramesh Shetty Mangalore, Ratnakar N Shetty in the panel of judges.
The highlights of the event - thrilling pili vesha (Tiger dance) by Dhanraj and team presented by Nagesh Shetty, contemporary e-Bhoota Kola by Surendra Shetty and team, mono act by Yogesh Shetty, mime act by Saiswaroop Rai and Dhanvit Shetty, a unique theme with secular message by Jayprakash and Tushar Shetty - all kept the audience entertained throughout the day. Vijayashree Rai, Santhosh Shetty, Kishan Shetty, Kishore Shetty enthralled the audience with their mesmerizing songs. Dance numbers were choreographed by Rama Rajashekar Shetty.
Shashidhar Shetty delivered a touching and inspiring speech encouraging young bunts to come forward to organize such events to keep the Bunts spirit alive in a foreign land. He also briefed the members on the forthcoming silver jubilee celebrations in 2012 and informally formed a committee of enthusiastic bunts. Meanwhile he invited new bunts to introduce themselves and honored senior bunt guests. He expressed his gratefulness to all sponsors and members of Oman Bunts who helped in successfully organizing the mega show. Shanker Shetty addressed the gathering amidst immense applaud.
The buffet lunch comprised a wide range of ethnic Bunts vegetarian and non vegetarian items.
There were many traditional games like Tarai katta, Katbill (sling), tug of war etc. Each game had its own way of depicting team spirit, skill, fun and bring about a sense of togetherness. Other games involved the task of guessing the amount of money in a jar filled with coins, and the number of bananas in a whole bunch.
There was a quiz pertaining to Bunts with 24 questions corresponding to the 24rd Bunts gathering. Rama Rajashekar Shetty and Sangeetha Kiran Rai were the winners. Interesting memory game was organized for the children, to recollect the Bunts traditional items displayed on a slide show.
Tea was followed by tug-of-war for ladies and men. The winner among ladies was Roopa Ashok Shetty and group, and runner-up was Vindya Dinesh Shetty and group. Among the men, winner was Jayaraj Shetty and group, and the runner-up Harish Shetty and group.
Saroja Shashidhar Shetty distributed prizes to the children who participated in various cultural activities. Diwakar K Shetty and Sudheera Diwakar Shetty distributed the Prizes among the winners of the Games, Quiz and Memory games. Ramesh Shetty and Ratnakar N Shetty distributed prizes to winners of Tug of war.
Bunts patrons and sponsors issued Certificate of appreciation to the members who attended Blood Donation Event organized on 18th November 2011 at Dept of Blood services, Ministry of Heath.
Finally a mega Tambola was conducted by Shanker Shetty and Shashidhar Shetty.
All the guests were served with traditional dinner. Authentic roti and flowers were flown in from Mangalore.
Vanishree Shetty proposed the vote of thanks. A closing speech by Shashidhar Shetty brought down the curtains to a highly successful, cheerful, splendid and joyous event.
All Bunts residing in Oman participated and interacted joyously till midnight and left to home, fondly hoping that the legacy of the annual Oman Bunts gathering continues. Such gatherings not only revives bunts uniqueness but also preserves and promotes ethnic and enriching heritage of coastal Karnataka.