Muscat: Cultural event marks 23rd annual meet of Vishwabrahmana Okkoota

Media Release
Pics: Prasad Acharya and Rathan Acharya

Muscat, Apr 25: The 23rd annual meet of Vishwabrahmana Okkoota, Muscat community was held with much fanfare at the Al Maasa Hall, Ruwi, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman recently. This is the second consecutive year that the community’s meeting was organized and witnessed with a colourful cultural extravaganza, organized by the members of the community. The community members living across the length and breadth of the Sultanate of Oman were present on this auspicious occasion.

The audience and the invited guests were welcomed by Ravindra Acharya, Kalathur, renowned personality, Vasudeva Acharya was the chief guest. He was escorted by Ratnakar Acharya to the dais.

The programme started with lighting of traditional lamp attended by Vasudeva Acharya and members of Oman’s Vishwabrahmana management committee comprising K Ganesh Acharya Kaup, president, Seetharama Acharya, Karkala, vice-president, Jayarama Acharya Karkala, secretary, Harischandra Acharya Kenja, Kuthyar, joint secretary and Sadananda Acharya, Karkala, treasurer.

The lighting of the lamp was followed by prayer, Vishwakarma Sthotra recited by the women of the Vishwabrahmana women’s wing Rohini, Prema, Varija, Vinutha and Sunita.

The welcome speech was given by Raghavendra Acharya. The VOM committee also honoured the senior members of the community who were on a visit to the Sultanate, and U B  Acharya, Mumbai, Nagalinga Acharya, Bangalore, D R Badigar, editor of Kalikadevi Vani and lawyer, Babu Pattar, Bangalore. Community members from distance places like Sohar, Suwaiq, Sur etc, were present on the occasion.

Secretary Jayarama Acharya, Karkala, presented the annual activity report of the year 2012-13 of VOM. He highlighted that the membership fee and the funds generated were used for the education of economically backward students from the community living in Karnataka, donated for renovating the community temple, besides part of the fund used for medical expenses for the needy and also for marriage of girls from economically backward families.

The annual financial report was submitted by VOM treasurer Sadananda Acharya, Karkala.

The chief guest, Vasudeva Acharya who spoke on the occasion highlighted the importance of following community cultural traditions, essence of Vishwakarma Gotras and appreciated the good, humanitarian work being done by the community members in the Sultanate of Oman.

GPA topper in CBSE matriculation from the community, Tejas Acharya (ex-student of Indian School Muscat), son of Harishchandra Acharya, Kenja, Kuthyar was presented with an award.

The dynamic president K Ganesh Acharya, Kaup, who has been the driving force behind the Vishwabrahmana community in Sultanate of Oman spoke on the occasion and requested the community members who lived in the Sultanate to come forward and participate in the Okkoota programme and event held under the slogan of “self-help and help-others”.

As part of the programme, prizes were distributed to the winners who took part in events like sports, arts (rangoli) and drawing competition. Archana Prasad and Rajesh Acharya read out the list of winners. The prizes were distributed by chief guest Vasudeva Acharya and by Harischandra Acharya from Sohar.

The cultural programme conceptualized and hosted by Prathap Rajagopalacharya and Mallika Ravindra started with a devotional group song sung by men and women of the Vishwabrahmana. Their innovative style of hosting received much appreciation from the audience.

The devotional song was followed by a dance performance by little children for the song Kabhi Ram Banke Kabhi Shyam Banke Chale Aana, comprising Sinchana, Anushika, Driti, Varshini, Harsha, Sameeksha, Sharan and Avani.

Community singer Kishan Acharya rendered two songs in Kannada and Hindi. In between the programme, compere Mallika Ravindra conducted a quiz based on community customs.

Synopsis of the entertainment programme:

Tulu traditional Maadira dance performed by Prabhakar and Yogesh.
Group dance tribute to RK Studio performed by young Children.
Two songs with romantic voice sung by Sandeep Acharya.
Comedy dance “Doddavarella Janaralla” rendered by male members.
Well known song Lakdi Ki Kaati sung by young children.

“Hacchevu Kannadada Deepa “group song was sung by men and women.
Little children performed dance with colourful dress –“ Pari Hoon Mein”.
Ladies performed group dance “Rang De”.
Upcoming singer Uday and Sandeep sang two songs in their melodious voice.
Punjabi folk dance performed by members for Kannada song “Tappu Madadavaru”.
Tulu skit “Pravasada Porlu” played by our community members.
Couple dance performed by three pairs, much to the delight of the audience.
Sandeep and Kishan sang the popular Kannada song “Kaanadanthe Mayavadanu namma shiva” to which the young children danced with spirit.

The event ended with vote of thanks by Harishchandra Acharya, Kenja, Kuthyar. He thanked Ratnakar Acharya, Amruth Acharya, Sudesh Acharya, Prasad Acharya, Mahesh Purohit, Saju Acharya, Padmanabh Acharya, Rajesh Acharya and many more for making the event a big success.

The cultural events were organized by Mrs and Mr Ravindra Acharya, Kalathur and VOM committee, and hosted by Harischandra Acharya Kenja, Kuthyar.

The colourful and remarkable evening came to an end with a sumptuous dinner.