Pics: Prasad Acharya and Rathan Acharya
Media Release
Muscat, May 17: The 24th annual meet of Vishwabrahmana Okkoota, Muscat (VOM) community was held with much fanfare at Muscat Tower Auditorium, Wadi Kabir, Sultanate of Oman recently.
This is the third consecutive year that the association organized its annual meet, featuring a colourful cultural extravaganza by the members of the community. On this auspicious occasion the community member living across the length and breadth of the Sultanate of Oman were present.
The invited audience and the guests were welcomed by Harishchandra Acharya. The well-known personality, Balalkrishna Acharya Mangalore was the chief guest, escorted by Amrut Acharya to the stage.
The programme began with lighting of traditional lamp by the chief guest Balalkrishna Acharya Mangalore and members of Oman’s Vishwabrahmana management committee comprising of 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.
After lighting of the lamp, the programme was followed by prayer, “Vishwakarma Sthotra" recited by the members of the Vishwabrahmana women’s wing - Rohini, Archana, Varija, Vinutha, Revathi, Chandrika and Sunita.
The welcome speech was delivered by Sudesh Acharya. The community members from distant places like Sohar, Suwaiq, Sur etc of Oman were present during the auspicious occasion and enjoyed the programme. Then VOM committee honoured Sreekant B Acharya, one of the up-and-coming politician in the community.
The secretary, Jayarama Acharya, Karkala, presented the annual activity and programme report of the year 2013-14 of VOM.
The chief guest, Balalkrishna Acharya Mangalore spoke on the occasion and highlighted that even though the community members have from their birthplace to such a distant Gulf country, they have still adopted and are promoting the community's cultural traditions. He also appreciated the humanitarian work being done by the community members through VOM.
The president K Ganesh Acharya, Kaup, who has been the leading the Vishwabrahmana community in Sultanate of Oman spoke on the stage, he requested the community members who live in the Sultanate to come forward and participate in the Okkoota programmes and events and also stressed that these type of achievements, programmes and extending of help to the community are made possible by the voluntary support of the office-bearers of VOM and community members.
Subsequently, prizes were distributed to the winning children who took part in the drawings competition. Raghavendra Acharya read out the list of winners, helped by Shantha Acharya. The prizes were distributed by the chief guest.
After the committee governing programme, the cultural events began. The cultural programme was conceptualized and anchored by couple Ravindra and Mallika Ravindra Acharya.
The event started with a group devotional song sung by men and women of VOM, followed by welcome dance “Shuklam Baradaram” which was performed by Ravindra, Harish, Sudesh, Ganesh and Naveen.
“Voice of Kudla-2013” winner Kishan, Uday, Ganesh, Santosh and Baby Anushika rendered many songs in Kannada and other languages. Quiz was hosted by the anchor Mallika Ravindra in between the programme.
Highlights of the event:
• Tribal dance performed by children Shreyas, Harsha, Sharan, Jhanavi, Sinchana and Varshini
• Two filmy dance performed by young boys and girls Yashas, Prathamesh, Rahul, Samrath, Sinchana, Manisha and Chinmay
• Children performed romantic dance on “Nirel” Tulu movie song by Sharan, Avani, Prateek, Sameeksha, Amogh and Varshini.
• Aaja Nachle filmy dance performed by ladies Mallika, Varija, Prema, Shanta and Reshma
• O Re Piya filmy dance by Suresh, Raghavendra, Ankush, Mallika, Manisha and Rashmita.
• Small skit “Chota Champion” presented by VOM youth.
• “Namma Sanskriti” performed by VOM men and women consisting of Radha Krishan Rasa leela, Kangeelu, Kolata, Yakshagana, Bhoota-Kola,Huli Vesa ended with a group song “Hachhevu Kannadada Deepa’.
• Fashion show was another highlight of evening, performed by eight couples - Seetharam-Rohini, Sadanand-Revathi, Harish-Chandrika, Mahesh-Manjula, Jayaram-Varija, Pradeep-Shantala, Shivram-Reshma and Harish-Prema.
• At the end Tulu comedy drama “ Yerla Yennayer” performed by VOM youth.
The entire cultural programme was directed and choreographed by Mallika Ravindra, Madhava Acharya, Uchila, Kaup, Naveen Acharya, Udupi and Suresh Acharya, Udupi with the support of all VOM members.
The event ended with vote of thanks by Harishchandra Acharya, Kenja, Kuthyar. As a token of appreciation mementos were given to all children, choreographers and drama directors.
VOM committee proceedings were hosted by Harischandra Acharya Kenja, Kuthyar and the cultural events were steered by Ravindra Acharya , Kalathur and Mallika Ravindra Acharya.
The gathered members and guests enjoyed the colourful and remarkable day with traditional and delicious lunch.