Media Release
Muscat, Nov 20: It was a splendid celebration of togetherness of Bunts in Oman as well as an exhibition of culture and tradition of coastal Karnataka through talent and effort. The organizing committee of members presented a grand and meticulously planned Buntara Vaibhava 2015 at Le Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel on Friday November 13.
A large gathering of bunts residing in Oman witnessed a colorful and memorable 28th family get-together and annual day celebration of Bunts in Oman. The day-long fun filled program included variety of dances, music, skits, Yakshagana and other programs that represent rich Tulu and extraordinary bunt tradition.
Organizing committee members were :
Sharmila Narayan Shetty and Narayan Shetty
Shruthi Deeraj Shetty and Deeraj Shetty
Shepali Krishnaprasad Shetty and Krishnaprasad Shetty
Shraddhaa Sandesh Rai and Sandesh Rai
Shwetha Vinay Shetty and Vinay Shetty
Rashmi Prasanna Budale and Prasanna Budale
Vindhya Dinesh Shetty and Dinesh Shetty
Bina Gunapal Shetty and Gunapal Shetty
Poornima Shivaprasad Ariga and Shivaprasad Ariga
Surekha SatyaPrasad Rai and Satya Prasad Rai
A beautiful rangoli along with children sprinkling rose water welcomed the guests at the entrance of the hall. The traditional sanadhige decorated beautifully with flowers, tender coconut, Kalasha, Kural etc was placed at the centre of the hall.
All the committee members were dressed in traditional style and showed great enthusiasm and vigor in welcoming all the guests. All the women committee members showed great zeal and commitment in organsing the entire show. They worked in close coordination with their male counterparts in putting together all the aspects of the grand event. The show was aptly coordinated and handled by Surekha Sathya Prasad Rai, Bina Gunapal Shetty, Sharmila Narayan Shetty, Shradhaa Rai, Poornima Ariga, Sepali Shetty, Rashmi Prasanna Budale, Shruthi Dhiraj Shetty, Shwetha Vinay Shetty and Vindhya Dinesh Shetty. An LED video wall used as the stage backdrop played interesting high resolution images which were played in sync with the programs performed on stage. The audience was awestruck and were all in praise of the use of latest technology while keeping the traditional values intact.
The program started with a prayer song sung by Shivaprasad Ariga and Shwetha Vinay Shetty, followed by lighting the traditional lamp by all the committee members.
Sathya Prasad Rai welcomed the gathering, with his speech in Tulu and Kannada. There was a prayer dance enacted by a group of bunt kids choreographed by Rama Rajashekar Shetty. Shivaprasad Ariga introduced an ace anchor Saiheel Rai who was welcomed with a floral bouquet by Adithi Gunapal Shetty and Shlagana Narayan Shetty. The show was co-anchored intermittently by committee member Shruthi Dhiraj Shetty.
The cultural events began with a prayer dance, choreographed by Rama Rajshekar Shetty and the young participants - Akshara, Naisa, Riyanika, Spoorti, Ananya, Vriddhi, Ganesh and Shashwat presented the concept beautifully. An Omani dance choreographed by Rama Raj Shetty was well performed by the young kids- Shaivi, Khushi, Prerna, Manvi, Vrishti, Sadhvi, Samriddhi, Sannidhi, Ashmita, Advaith, Havish, Harshil, Sushanth, Spandan Akarsh followed by a song by Sparsha Kishore Shetty. The next dance was by Crazy Legs Team and the participants were Rakshitha, Akshara, Anwita and Tushar. This dance was choreographed by Rakshita, Tushar and Akshara. Riya Uday Shetty presented a song and entertained the gathered guests.
Yakshanatyam 'Poorvaranga' choreographed and directed by Vanishree Nagesh Shetty was performed by young talents - Maanvi, Sharvari, Anusha, Stvitha, Pavana and Disha. An attractive dance on Ramayan and Diwali was presented splendidly by a team of young kids - Daivit, Samriddhi, Sannidhi, Ashima, Aayush, Saharsh, Sidvith, Aishana, Tanvi, Ganesh, Shashwat, Shagun, Vriddhi, Samarth, Anika, Shalagna, Akshara, Ananya, Naisa, Riyanika, Vyshnavi and Poorvika. A dance performance directed and presented by Dhanush, Bhakti, Naisa and Samarth was an energetic one. A young boy, Luvya sang a Hindi song. Natasha a classical Kathak dancer mesmerized the audience with her gracious moves. The husband-wife couple Kishan and Sushma did a couple dance, which set the stage on fire by their dance moves. 'Punya Koti' dance skit, choreographed by Rama was performed by Shalagna, Manavi, Janav, Anupam, Radha, Disha, Anusha and Shagun.
Ramanand Shetty’s Kannada song 'jenina holeyo' was well applauded by the audience.
'Tulu Parba' dance, depicted the glory of Tulunadu, choreographed by Rama Raj Shetty and was presented in harmony by Pavana, Disha, Ananya, Poorvika, Ananya, Dishita, Vyshnavi, Vaidehi, Naisa, Riyanika, Sparsha, Radha, Ganesh, Adiraj, Samarth, Shashwat, Janav, Shalagna, Anupam, Samarth and Tanishk.
Later, Vasudha, Preeti, Roopa, Surekha, Pratima, Roopa, Vijaya, Soumya, Vinita and Shilpa presented a Janapada Nritya 'LeleLele....' with their Tulunadu traditiononal costumes. 'Yeren Nambodhu', a skit directed and story written by Ramananda Shetty and Sudhin Shetty with their team comprising of Ramananda Shetty, Sudhin Shetty, Dhanu Shetty, Sachin shetty, Suraj Shetty, Preetham Shetty, Ravindra Shetty, Ajith Shetty and Jayaprakash.
The audience was taken by surprise when young children performed a Flash Mob dance.
A Tulunadu style Deepavali was enacted by C K Shetty, Nagesh Shetty and Ashok Shetty.
The parents of the members of the community, who are on a visit to Muscat, were felicitated in a traditional style by Shashidhar Shetty and his wife and Shankar Shetty and his wife.
Shashidhar Shetty introduced the next committee of members for the year 2016. The Buntara Vaibhava 2015 team presented flower bouquets to the next year’s team and offered their whole hearted support.
Prizes for ladies cricket, throwball, volleyball, tug of war, (men and women) and for cricket(men) and fun games conducted along with the sports events were distributed.
Saiheel conducted a couple compatibility game 'Adarsha Dhampathi' for couples. The audience enjoyed the show which saw some senior members of the community sportingly take part in the funny rounds of the show. Couples Raj Shetty Rama Raj shetty were the winners of the show.
The dance participants were given recognition awards for their performances by committee members Sandesh Rai, Prasanna Budale, Vinay Shetty and Krishna Prasad Shetty while Shepali Krishna Prasad Shetty announced the names of the participants.
The sponsors (silver and bronze) and major supporters of the annual get-together were presented mementoes in recognition of their support by the committee members Gunapal Shetty and Narayan Shetty. The sponsors (gold) were felicitated for their support of the event by Dhriaj Shetty.
Saiheel was felicitated for his classic compering by committee member Gunapal Shetty and Sathyaprasad Rai. Jagannath Rai was felicitated by Dinesh Shetty, Rama Raj Shetty and Viju Anand Rai were felicitated by Rashmi Budale for their valuable contributions and service to the bunt community.
Splendid and mouthwatering traditional style breakfast, lunch, tea and meals were served at the Le Grand hall for all the members of the community .
Shivaprasad Ariga proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked all the members of the community including the senior members of the community for their unflinching support and guidance which contributed to the grand success of buntara vaibhava 2015. He also thanked all the supporters and well wishers for contributing to the success of the event.
The culmination of the event was raffle draw which was conducted by Saiheel. A video depicting the work done behind the scenes by the committee members was played on the huge video wall which was well received by the audience.
Overall the bunts smilingly stood shoulder to shoulder and made this event a grand success. The event showcased a blend of traditional bunt heritage, a progressive outlook and a spirit of togtherness. The Bunts in Oman now await next year’s annual get together.