Report: Shodhan Prasad
Pics: Deepak Paladka/Pradeep Aranha Paladka/Sameeha Studio
Dubai, Apr 16: UAE Bunts, one of the vibrant community associations of Bunts, celebrated its 42nd anniversary in UAE with a rich colourful cultural display, together with the presentation of 'Bunta Vibhushana', 'Bunt Perfect Jodi 2016' and 'Folk/Cinematic Dance' competitions with the beautiful stage of 'Guthu House' as backdrop built within the premises of Crowne Plaza, Jumeirah Ball Room here on Friday April 15. The grand event was witnessed by jam-packed crowd of more than 1,200 who were glued to their seats from 10 am in the morning until late evening, applauding, cheering and enjoying the entire day's entertainment.
As scheduled, the inauguration itself was a glittering affair consisting of dignitaries, with colourfully dressed Bunts ladies holding the auspicious 'Purna-Kumb Kalasha' and committee members all lined up in a grand procession flanked by drums, and eminent convenor of UAE Bunts, Padmashree Dr B R Shetty along with his wife Dr Chandrakurmari B R Shetty and son Binoy R Shetty leading the procession towards the well decorated main stage. Soon, the day-long programme got a flag off with the traditional lighting of the lamp by all the dignitaries on stage.
The strongman of UAE Bunts, president Sarvotham Shetty welcomed the community members and guests traditionally and greeted them with good wishes on account Vishu-Ugadi New Year and the auspicious Rama Navami celebrations which fall incidentally on the same day.
Welcome song by Sangeetha Satish Shetty and welcome dance by Shannel Sharath Shetty both gave a vibrant start to the programme that was compered by Sarvotham and Jyothika Harsha Shetty. Sampath Shetty joined them to continue with the compering. Various dances were presented throughout. 'Shiva Thandav Nritya' by Praveen Shetty and team had the audience spellbound.
Later, on behalf of the working committee of 2016, Amitha Balakrishna Shetty rendered the welcome speech briefing on the activities. Soon there was a beautiful Bollywood fusion dance by Monisha Shartha Shetty and team which received good applause by the audience, followed by 'Thundering Kidzz' dance by Sudha Sudhir Shetty, Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi.
Talk by Chakravarty Sulibele
Mithun Chakravarty Sulibele, a popular motivational orator who was in Dubai for some other Kannadiga programme was invited to deliver a brief talk. He was invited on to the stage and honoured. The Honnavar-born Chakravarty, mentor of Yuva Brigade, spread the spirit of 'Mera Bharat Mahan', orating and motivating them on the richness of the "greatest and most tolerant country in the world which provides and still stands tall as an example to rest to follow". Hearing the 'Bharath Darshan' motivational speech the audience were spellbound and got enriched with the honour of being born in the homeland.
New committee for 2016-2017
The present working committee members comprising Prasanna Shetty, Chitra Prasanna Shetty, Vivek Shetty, Vijetha Shetty, Nagaraj Shetty, Deepthi Nagaraj Shetty, Diwaker Shetty, Suprtitha Shetty, Subrath Shetty, Nagaraj Shetty, Sudhir Shetty, Sudha Sudhir Shetty, Guruprasad Bhandary, Shakeela Bhandary, Sudhir Hegde, Anisha Sudhir Hegde, Balkrishna Shetty, Amitha Balkrishna Shetty, Nagaraj Shetty and Rajani Nagaraj Shetty are those who have worked throughout the year for the success of this 42nd UAE Bunts annual programme.
They welcomed the new committee for the year 2016-17 who were invited on to the stage and were introduced to the audience. Sarvotham Shetty while thanking the current committee also welcomed and wished the new committee all success in the year to come.
'Bollywood Rockers' by Jogi/Veena Satish Shetty, Dubai, 'Malenadina Aata Tulunadina Kundiata' by Rajani/Dilip of Al Ain, 'Khatak' by Supriya Kiran Rai/Asha Jayaram Rai, Abu Dhabi provided a taste of a variety of dance forms to the hungry audience who applauded them non-stop throughout their performance.
'Bunta Vibhushana' presented to Kadri Navneeth Shetty
UAE Bunts this year chose Kadri Navneeth Shetty for his contribution towards Tulu language, folk, culture, sport, community, literature and conferred on him the 'Bunta Vibhusana' honour. He was invited on to the stage and felicitated with honours, title, Mysore Peta, bouquet, shawl and fruit basket by Dr B R Shetty and Sarvotham Shetty, while Ganesh Rai read out the felicitation certificate.
In response to the honour he said, "Tulu has gained universal recognition now. The Tulu culture has inculcated certain humane values among the people. Being an agriculture society, the work culture of this land has taught us to respect food and agricultural land. The joint family system here besides bringing about tolerance and dedication has taught people to respect elders. I request all the community members to support our own people who still are continuing and preserving agriculture back home with whatever financial help they can, so that our tradition and values remain forever and continue to flourish throughout in the future."
Achievers honoured
Young toppers of the community who excelled in their academics and sports were identified and honoured on the stage. Bunts ladies throwball team winners and men's throwball winning team were also invited on to the stage and honoured. Bunts Shree Satyanarayana Puja Samiti working committee comprising Raviraj Shetty, Sashi Shetty along with Bunts blood donation campaign co-coordinators Uday Shetty and Sashi Shetty couple and sports committee chief Kiran Shetty were all recognized for their hard work and felicitated on the stage for their good deeds.
All sponsors and media representatives were invited on to the stage and honoured at the same time for all their support to the event.
Also, the first female recipient of the doctorate in Bunts Community, a Shetty, who came all the way from Hyderabad was honoured by Dr B R Shetty.
A sumptuous spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian variety buffet along with a mouthwatering array of deserts was enjoyed and savoured by all the audience during lunch. To add spice to the lunch hour were melodious songs rendered by Kiran Shetty and group.
Next, Tulu skit 'Udayanna Hotel' by Ganesh Shetty and team entertained the audience while 'Show Dance' by Dhrithi Venkatesh and Vijay Jogi got good applause. At the same time all the choreographers and directors of the different stage programmes were invited on to the stage and honoured.
Folk/cinematic dance competition
Different teams, namely 'Sangolli Rayanna', 'Kithoor Chennamma', 'Rani Abakka', 'Onake Obavva' and 'Mayura Varma' showcased beautiful, colourful and meaning performances one after another, making it tough for the judges to decide. They were much appreciated by the audience who gave each one of them a thunderous applause.
The winners were finally annouced, and they were:
Winner - Sharjah Team 'Sangolli Rayanna', choreographed by Vijay and Yathish Amin and coordinated by Nishita Rakesh Hegde.
1st runner-up - Dubai Team 'Mayura Varma', choreographed by Sachin Mada and Prasanna Kumar Pujari and coordinated by Sachin Mada
2nd runner-up - Abu Dhabi Team 'Onake Obavva', choreographed by Sowmya Jain and coordinated by Amitha/Anisha/Sapna
'Bunts Perfect Jodi' competition
This year the special attraction was 'Bunts Perfect Jodi' competition for Bunts couples who were married less than 10 years ago. There were many participants who came forward enthusiastically and sportingly. Nine couples had been shortlisted as finalists during the first round of the competition held much before the event. These 9 finalists had to perform two more rounds on the stage in front of the audience and three judges to finish off with the final results. Their sporting performances throughout the rounds totally entertained the audience and one could see the support they received from every corner with applause, whistles and gestures. The first and second round were ably managed by Deepthi Salian, Chitra and Manoj.
Kadri Navneeth Shetty ably compered the total event in his own imitable style in Tulu, giving light moments to the couples to maintain the freshness. Some of the participants gave unexpected performances and answers were really enjoyed by the audience and supporters of the couples.
The able judges, namely Kavita, Jyothi and Shakeel had to face really tough time to finalise the winners but they finally came out with a unanimous decision.
The following are the results of the 'Bunts Perfect Jodi' competition:
Winner - Rahul Shetty and Thrupthi Rahul Shetty
1st runner-up - Prathik Alva and Sonam Pratik Alva
2nd runner-up - Karunakara Shetty and Sapna Karunakara Shetty
Most Popular Jodi - Pratik Alva and Sonam Pratik Alva
Most Fashionable Jodi - Rahul Shetty and Thrupthi Rahul Shetty
Most Entertaining Jodi - Rahul Shetty and Thrupthi Rahul Shetty
The winners were announced and honoured with titles and appreciations and the judges were also invited on to the stage and honoured.
Bunts lucky draw competition along with other special lucky draws by some of the sponsors of the event marked the conclusion of the event. Winners were given gold pendant sponsored by Inland Group Builders and gold ornament by Malabar Gold on the spot. Sarvotham Shetty managed this event smoothly in his own style.
Sampath Shetty and Jyothika Shetty along with Sarvotham Shetty ably compered most of the entertainment programme throughout the day tirelessly.