Media Release

Muscat, Nov 1: Bunts of Oman organized a spectacular 'Kesaru Gadde Grameena Kreeda Koota' for the first time ever outside India at the Barka Guttu, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman recently.

As a part of the ongoing Bunts Gathering Silver Jubilee Celebration, Bunts of Oman organized a day-long 'Ethnic sports and cultural extravaganza' to promote the traditional games of coastal Karnataka. It was the first of its kind fun-filled traditional event, and the show was a remarkable success

A barren farm land in Barka was transformed into a beautiful landscape by the Midas touch of Divakar Shetty, Managing Director of Multitech LLC through his month-long uphill struggle and creativity. The panorama depicting typical Bunts rural countryside was complete with slush field, swimming pond, water well, coconut grooves, Paaka Shale, Bhojana Shale, all neatly covered with thatched roof. For performances a stage was set up with a backdrop of lush paddy field.

The entrance was decked with colourfull patake, mangoe leaves, cluster of tender coconuts Pingara, Areca fruits and fresh flower garlands. Setting up Tulasi brindavan and entire decoration was arranged by Saroja S Shetty, Sudheera D Shetty Jayalaxmi N Shetty and Mallika S Shetty.

There were varieties of self service stalls of Watermelon, tender coconut, Juice, Charmuri, Karjura, Kurlu mittai, banana etc gave a true jaatre(carnival) atmosphere. Juice, Icecream, tea and snack counters were Sponsored by Sadia, Iffco and Fair trade. while other sponsors offered freebies to the crowd.All the arrangements were impeccably coordinated and executed.

The committee members along with a number of volunteers contributed to the proceedings of the event. The event started with breakfast which included Sajjige (Upma), Avalakki uppukari (Bajil), Kadle upkari, Idli sambar, Dosa and Sheera.

Kambla buffalo race 

The inaugural function commenced at 10.00am with an invocation prayer by the organizing committee. Shashidhar Shetty Mallar symbolically inaugurated the event by breaking the coconut followed by the entry of buffaloes to the field, which proceeded to Kambla (buffalo race). The entire audience appeared thrilled, while the water-mixed mud sprinkled across the field by the buffaloes, giving an amazing start to the event.

The entire day was filled with fun and frolic, and this was the first of its kind event abroad. Shanker T Shetty compered the programme. Ganesh Shetty provided excellent sound and DJ support. Narayan Shetty, Vinay Shetty, Chandrashekar Shetty received the members.

Shashidhar Shetty Mallar welcomed the gathering and highlighted the importance of traditional sports meet. "Ethnic sports picture our culture and heritage, " he said.

Kesaru Gadde Sports

Rathnakar Shetty, Surendra Shetty, Prasiddh Bandhari, Sharath Shetty and Vinay Shetty conducted various sports events. In the muddy field, running race, hand ball, tug of war, pot breaking competition, gold treasure hunt and many other competitions were organized. “Biggest loser is the winner” a health conscious event was conducted by Nagesh Shetty and Vanishree Shetty.

Traditional sumptuous Bunt cuisine was prepared at site by Shashidhar Shetty Mallar and team for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch included Semige, Kori sukka, Bangude fry, Kuduta saar, Basale kajipu, Egg masala, etc among other variety of items which was served on plantain leaves enhancing the flavour of the event.

Games were continued after the lunch, conducted by Jayalaxmi N Shetty Mamata S Shetty, Pallavi Shetty. Thrishori P Bhandary and Roopa Shetty. Events like Shooting by Arrow, Aiming with sling, Kere-dada, chenne mane, weaving the coconut leaf (madal) etc were the centers of attraction.

Traditional costume competition

In the evening variety of traditional costume competition was held. Onake obavva (Bhakti), Bangel seller (Kum Manvi, Kum Disha), Fisher woman(Kum Vaidehi), Kadu Manushya Saiswaroop Rai), EGA (Ganesh Shetty), Kurkurmama(Adiraja Shetty), Gili Shastra (Kishan Shetty), Aati kalinja (Anupam Shetty, Dhanush and Sudhin Shetty) entertained the audience.
 
Finale: Balindra pooja, Tulasi Pooja, Nalike Bajane and Daiva Nema (Kola)
In the background of beautiful sunset, Balindra Pooja (invocating King Balindra) was symbolically performed bringing back cherished memories of childhood and bygone era of farming household. Eventually Tulasi Pooja was performed to aesthetically decorated Tulasi Brindavana, followed by mesmerizing Nalike Bajane by Bunta Javaner team. An enthralling Kangil dance was performed by Sudhin Shetty and team consisting of Suresh, Kishan, Sachin and Ganesh Shetty.

The programme culminated in a thrilling Daiva Nema by Bunta Javaner Team. It was a rare opportunity for the community members to witness such a wonderful and event. The multitalented Bunta Javaner team headed by Nagesh Shetty Kinnigoly consists of Rajesh Shetty, Prasad Shetty, Ganesh Shetty, Dhanraj Shetty, Lokesh Shetty, Sachin Shetty, Janav Shetty, Vijay Shetty and Sunil Shetty

The programme concluded with traditional dinner at 8 pm which Included Ganji, Gatti, Pundi, Kori Gassi, Kuduta saar Yetti chatni, and variety of chatnis.

Shashidhar Shetty Mallar proposed the vote of thanks to the sponsors and patrons for their valuable support. He acknowledged all those who extended support to make the event a grand success.

Bunts Gathering Silver Jubilee celebrations Committee

The committee members, under the able guidance of the Convenor Shashidhar Shetty Mallar, have impeccably conducted and devoted all their efforts undauntedly towards the proceedings of the day long event. The whole event was meticulously organized by Saroja S Shetty and Shashidhar Shetty Mallar, Mallika S Shetty and Shankar T Shetty, Sudheera D Shetty and Divakar K Shetty, Jayalaxmi N Shetty and Narayan Shetty, KVanishree Shetty and Nagesh Shetty, Roopa Shetty and Rathnakar N Shetty Mamata S Shetty and Surendra Shetty, Thrishori P Bhandary and Prasidh Bhandary, Pallavi Shetty and Sharath Shetty, Chandrashekar Shetty, and Vinay Shetty.
 
Bunts of Oman Kesaru Gadde Grameena Kreeda Koota’ trully lived up to expectations. Bunts of Oman will organize their “Bunts Gathering Silver Jubilee Celebrations” on November 23 at the same venue. The event will be presided over by Dr Mohan Alva, and Vijayakumar Shetty, Kala Jagatthu, Mumbai. Also representatives of Bunts from Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain are expected to attend the event.
 
Bunts blood donation camp : As a social commitment towards the society, Bunts of Oman are conducting blood donation camp every year. This year’s blood donation camp will be held on November 2 at Central Blood Bank, opposite Royal hospital. All interested volunteers are requested to contact 99219004, 99335480, 99387409 for further information.