Daijiworld Media Network- Bahrain

Bahrain, Oct 15: Sri Vishwakarma Seva Balaga, Bahrain organized the fifth Sri Vishwakarma puja mahotsav on October 3 at Karnataka Social Club auditorium in Manama, under the able-guidance and presence of renowned Vastu consultant, famous astrologer and gemstone specialist Ashok Purohit, Mumbai, as presiding priest.

The main sanctum was aesthetically decorated by flowers and clothes by Puhohit. Sharath Kumar and Preeti Sharath Kumar were at the pedestal of puja rituals.

The puja started at 9.30 am by Kalasha Pratishtapana followed by recitation of Sri Vishwakarma Stotra, Sri Kalikamba Stotra and Sri Lalithasahasranamaavali Stotra by ladies wing of Balaga. Then the auditorium echoed with the rendition of devotional song and bhajans for another couple of hours, by the Balaga members supported by music teacher Binu Madhavan on harmonium and Pradeep Karkala on tabla.  

Mahapuja – mangal-arati was offered to Lord Vishwakarma with the enchanting sound of mantraghosha, shankhanaad-jaagate around 12.45 pm. Purohitji enlightened the devotees on the importance of Vishwakarma Puja, wishing all the people gathered around, a pleasant and fruitful life.  After the distribution of prasadam, all the devotees had a sumptuous food at the dining hall of the auditorium.

Cultural programme was followed by lunch. Kumari  Divya Damodar rendered Ganesh Stuti followed by puja nritya by Kumari Sandhya Damodar. This dance was beautifully choreographed by Vidushi Astika Sunil Shetty.

Bahrain’s upcoming singer Sharvani Manjunath and Rajesh Kodethur presented a Kannada duet song from the movie ‘Pallavi Anupallavi’.  The evergreen pair of Kumari Saakshi Sharath and Kumari Ananya Rajesh filmy dance ‘Nagada’’ was well received by the audience. One more melodious Kannada duet sung by tabla player Pradeep Karkala and Divya Damodar was appreciated by the music lovers.

Kannada folk dance Lelega was performed by Savitha Natesh,  Preeti Sharath, Sharvani Manjunath, Hem Surendra, Neeta Bala, Mohini Sadashiv, Reshma Sathish and Vinutha Harish. The singing sensation of Bahrain Kumari Divya Damodar’s ‘old Hindi songs medley’ took the audience back to couple of decades down the memory lane. The dancing trio Kumari Namitha Salian, Kumari Harini Shetty and Kumari Sandhya Damodar proved their mettle by performing Hindi fusion dance.

A solo melody number ‘Gaganave Baagi’ from the Kannada movie ‘Sanju weds Geetha’ once again proved that Sharvani Manjunath is undoubtedly an upcoming singer of Bahrain, loved by one and all.  ‘Chillar Party’ dance by kids namely Kumari Ananya Rajesh, Kumari Saakshi Sharath, Master Anshul Natesh, Ronith Sathish, Ashish Sadashiv, Ashish Manoj and Aditya Harish and choreographed by Dhanush, Santosh Kumar and Sandhya Damodar was a treat to watch.

KB Jagdish Achar, the founder president of Balaga presented a lovely song ‘Aaseya Bhaava’ from the Kannada movie of yesteryears ‘Mangalya Bhagya’. The adult brigade of Balaga, Santhosh Kumar, Natesh Achar, Sudhir Achar, Sumith Achar, Dhanush, Lavankumar, Divya Damodar and Sandhya Damodar danced to a Tulu folk song ‘Dennana Dennaana’ to the thunderous applause of a packed audience. It was choreographed by Santhosh Kumar.  Sharvani Manjunath and Sathish Ullal rendered a melody number ‘endendoo ninnanu marethu naaniralaare’ from the old hit Kannada movie ‘Erade Kanasu’ and a beautiful track ‘Anisutide yaako indu’ from the movie ‘Mungaru Male’ was sung by Vinesh.

The final session of the entertainment programme was taken over by national award winner Kannada Sangh, Bahrain.  The Yakshagana ballet ‘Shri Krishna Leele-Kamsa Vadhe’ was portrayed by the ever enthusiastic artistes, with a professional touch.

Mohan Edneer as Balakrishna was  a treat to watch with his excellent footsteps, acting ability and timely dialogue delivery.  Shrinivas Bhat, Kalavar, a veteran of this Yakshagana field for decades, was ShriKrishna, with his usual performance par excellence. The demons Shakatasura and Chanoora played by Ramprasad Ammenadka and Kamsaasura portrayed by Kiran Upadhyaya were a treat to watch.

The readymade ‘rangasthala’ prepared by president Damodar Mijar added the beauty to the existing stage and mantapam.

At the end of the programme, all the members who made the event a grand success were felicitated.