Mangalore: Bhoothanatheshwara Kreedotsava-III Gets off to a Flying Start

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jan 18: The much awaited 3rd edition Sri Bhoothanatheshwara Kreedotsava, a three-day rural sport extravaganza, the brainchild of Vijyayanath Vittal Shetty, took off to a spectacular start on Friday January 18.

The inauguration was carried out amidst the usual pomp and grandeur was attended by local politicians of all hues apart from celebrities. The three day gala event was inaugurated by Premalatha V Shetty, mother of Vijayanath Vittala Shetty, the brain behind this mega event being organized for the last three years. District Congress President B Ramanatha Rai hoisted the kreedotsava flag. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, former Minister Krishna Palemar, MLA Abhaychandra Jain, Jagadeesh Adhikari, Srikar Prabhu and many other leaders were present on the dais.

The entire surroundings of Badaga Edapadavu in Mijar wore a festive look getting reading for the three-day gala games mela which has given opportunity for the rural people to take part in various rural sports and games and win prizes. The road towards the ground was festooned with colourful buntings and hoardings. The field-converted ground was teeming with people participants and audience who had arrived to witness the event from different parts of coastal districts. It is the first of its kind and only event that has revived our age old rural games thus giving an opportunity for our rural folks to take part and demonstrate their talent. Naturally people from surrounding districts of Kasaragod, Udupi and Kodagu apart from Mangalore enthusiastically participated in the 1st day’s event.
 
That the Bhoothanatheshwara Kreedotsva is gaining popularity among people of these coastal districts is evident from the fact that this year the organizers received a record number of entries, 700 more than they had received last year.
 
The competitions of the 1st day began early morning with events like drawing competition, Rangoli, flower decoration, Mudi Kattuvudu (traditional way of rice packing). After the formal inauguration the major attractions (competitions) of the day began at the slush field. The slush field event was formally inaugurated with the demonstration of ‘kambala’ race. The first event of the day at the slush was treasure hunt for children. Children were seen enthusiastically hunting for the steel boxes buried in the slushy field. There were nearly 250 children who participated in this treasure hunt and it was very much evident that children liked playing in the slushy field rather than seriously hunt for the treasure.

Treasure hunt was followed by kesaru gadde ota for various age groups. As there were many participants heats were conducted and winners were decided in the finals. Simultaneously there were other events like Kutti Donne, arm wrestling for men and women, coconut peeling with the mouth, Madal Kattuvudu (designing coconut leaf), natural body building etc. A demonstration of ‘pili vesha’, dance, a specialty of undivided Dakshina Kannada was another major attraction of the day. They performed some of the stunning stunts and enthralled the assembled gathering.
 
The presence of sandalwood glitterati added special charm to the event. Actors like Shivadhwaj, glamour queen actor Haripriya and Swathi electrified the assembled people by their very presence. Haripriya who has witnessed this grandiose event for the first time said “she was stunned to see the participation of huge number of people from rural areas in various games. These games not only good for fitness but also they are full of fun and excitement”. She promised she will be back here the next year.
 
Actor Shivdhwaj has been a part of this kreedotsava as he has attended this event in all the three years. Actor Swathi was equally in awe of these rural games and sports and also the meticulous way of conducting the entire show.
 
It was interesting to see women enthusiastically taking part in arm wrestling (kai kusti) in different age groups. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to participate mirrors the kind of impact created by this kreedotsava. It also reflected that given an opportunity there is no dearth of talent or participants from people with their rural background.
 
It was really interesting to see the meticulous arrangements made for conducting various events and foolproof arrangements made for breakfast, lunch, drinking water and toilet facilities for all the people who had come to take part and witness the event. Vijayanath Vittala Shety is a magnificent host who does not spare any shortcomings to come in the way of the success of the event. There was sumptuous lunch for all the people, participants and those who came to witness the event.
 
Speaking to daijiworld.com Vijayanath said “the fact that we have succeeded in attracting more and more participants and people amply demonstrate that we have reached out to a large section of the rural people. We have added more events this year to make it more interesting and also to enable more people to take part in various competitions”.
 
The talent show programme scheduled in the late evening was another major attraction of the day. The main motto of this talent show is “manassada ullasog bodanda enchinala malpuve” (entertainment ke liye kuch bi karega”)
 
There are many interesting sports and games for the remaining two days, like the prestigious tug of war, mud wrestling, cock race, arm wrestling, caterpillar race, pyramid, jodi kesarugadde ota, artificial cow race and many more interesting and sports and games. Boyzone would provide musical entertainment along with comedy by Bank Janardhana and party.
 
This year there are altogether 40 games in 70 categories and prizes worth Rs. 15 lakhs will be given to the winners.