Report and Pics: Wilson Saldanha Shirthady/ Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Apr 25: It was a feast for Yakshagana lovers with traditional Bayalata settings, typical lightings, professional artistes from India at 'Buntaayana 2015' organized by Buntara Sangha Kuwait (BSK). The audience were mesmerized looking at the stage setting when the curtains were raised. It took them back to the glory of traditional Mangalurean Yakshagana Bayalata which many had missed since decades.
Buntara Sangha Kuwait (BSK) under the presidentship of Rajesh Shetty Agari presented the much awaited mega cultural event 'Buntaayana 2015' on Friday April 24 at the Cambridge School Auditorium, Mangaf. The event was a cultural bonanza with various dance and music performed by the members of BSK. The main highlight of the event was 'Sri Devi Mahatame' Yakshagana, the famous traditional folk drama of Mangaluru/ Tulunadu performed by'Kateel Sri Durga Parameshwari Prasaditha Yakshagana Mandali' Mangaluru.
The programme started with formal introduction by compere of the evening Navaneeth Shetty Kadri and Swarna Chandrahas Shetty followed by prayer by Laxmi K Shetty and Amith Shetty and invocation dance directed by Raashi Rajesh Shetty. Famous dignitaries and personalities of Bunts community Ajith Kumar Maladi (president, Bunts alias Nadavara Mathru Sangha, Mangaluru), Dr Ashajyothi Rai, Bhagavat Satish Kumar Patla and Navaneeth Shetty Kadri were the guests of honour. They along with the managing committee inaugurated the function by lighting the traditional lamp and released the souvenir. Vice-president Sanath Shetty welcomed the gathering.
Foot tapping dances 'Thulunada Porlu', 'Radha Nachegi', 'Sadda Dil vi Tu', 'Rang De', 'Stotram Fusion Dance', 'Jai Jai Jai Bhajarangi - Hanuman Chalisa', 'Fusion Dance' and 'Krishna Leele - Kamsa Vadhe' choreographed by Sanmathi D Menda, Sinchana Shetty, Arjun Adyanthaya, Sheethal Malli, Ramya Shetty, Preeti Prashantha Shetty, Prapti Prashantha Shetty, Prithvi Shetty, Laxmi and Shalini Yadunath Alva were performed by BSK members and family.
Guests of the day Ajith Kumar Maladi, Dr Ashajyothi Rai, Bhagavat Satish Kumar Patla and Navaneeth Shetty Kadri were honoured with flowers, shawl, Bunts traditional shawl, Elachi necklace, Mysuru peta and mementos by president Rajesh Shetty Agari and Roopa Rajesh Shetty. Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassdor to Kuwait along with his wife Dr Gargi Jain were welcomed to the stage. They along with chief guests honoured the former presidents of BSK Jayakar Shetty, Venkappa Shetty Soorinje, Karunakar Shetty, Satish Chandra Shetty, Umesh Shetty Adve and Guruprasad Hegde. Founder president Dr Nithyananda Shetty, Divin Menda Paddodiguttu and Sudhakar Shetty Aikala were remembered during the event as they couldn't attend the programme. Sanmathi Menda received the honour on behalf of Divin Menda.
Sunil Jain, chief guests and former presidents spoke a few words on the event and the past and present of Bunts. They also stressed on good work and charity to be done by the community towards society. President Rajesh Shetty in his speech explained the history of Bunts and the way they have contributed to society. The sponsors of the event were felicitated with mementos during the function. Mouth watering vegetarian lunch prepared by Oriental Restaurant Company was served along with traditional Mangalurean sweet holige and payasam.
The much-awaited Yakshagana 'Sri Devi Mahatame' started with a poem written by Tulu poet Nadoja Dr Kayyara Kinhanna Rai which was sung by Bhagavat Satish Kumar Patla. The Yakshagana played by Mangaluru's popular 'Kateel Sri Durga Parameshwari Prasaditha Yakshagana Mandali' entertained the audience with its professional perfection and traditional acting. The artistes who arrived from India were Sathish Shetty Patla, Umesh Shetty, Rahul Shetty, Prajwal Kumar, Jayaprakash Shetty, Chaithanya Krishna, Deepak Rao, Prakash Thalapanje, Padmanabha Upadhya, Narayana Poojary Ujire, Shashidhara Shirankallu, Sharath Poojary, Chandrashekara Dharmasthala, Sadashiva Shettigar, Santhosh Madivala. Bhagavat Satish Kumar Patla mesmerised the audience with his golden voice, clarity and perfection.
General secretary Dinesh Shetty thanked everyone. The stage was given the name of Tulu poet Nadoja Dr Kayyara Kinhanna Rai. The well-arranged programme came to an end with dinner. The programme was coordinated by Sudarshan Raju Shetty and ably compered by Navaneeth Shetty Kadri and Swarna Shetty.