Muscat: Billawas Form Association - 'Oman Billawas'
Report by Dr Anchan C K
Photographs : Dilip Correa
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Muscat: 17th April 2009, history was written by OMAN BILLAWAS, more than 700 Billawas came all over Oman, for their Inaugural meet, ALMASA hall was chosen for this event.
The hall was well decorated in the Tulu Nadu Spirit with all the traditional way of welcoming goodness and people.
The programme started by 11.00 am sharp. Following the tradition the programme started with lighting of lamp by the founding members along with their wives, continued by Prayer song rendered by Rashmi Gangadhar Poojari, Chandni Sudhir, Prema Umesh Karkera, Niranjan and Gangadhar Poojari. They were accompanied by Prasad on the Tabla and Suresh on Keyboard.
Pithamber B Alke – President of OMAN BILLAWAS, Welcomed all the guest in a touching speech, his few words spoke volume of his love and dedication towards the Billawa Community, he said this was the beginning of a new vision and goal. The Billawa community, which has the largest population among many other communities of coastal Karnataka in OMAN, has made an indelible mark on the shifting sands of the cultural milieu of the Indian community in the SULTANTE OF OMAN.
Increasingly, with the help of the growing and supportive community, what was started as a thought became a reality by successfully achieving the milestone. Today, OMAN BILLAWAS are standing tall together to celebrate their Inaugural Meet with so many in numbers with unity and commitments.
He emphasized that this Remarkable day in the history of Billawas has been done as a TEAM and Kudo’s to his Founding Members Team : S.K.Poojary, Ashok Suvarna, Umesh Bantwal, Arun Sanil and Dr. Anchan C.K. who also shared the same vision and had the passion and commitment to realise the dream of bringing all the Billawa members together.
S.K. Poojary in his historic speech about “ Koti and Chennayya” stated that they are legendary twin heroes -The story of these heroes may be taken to roughly five hundred years back. Koti and Chennaya were born to Deye Baidethi of Billava family of historical Tulunadu.
Owing to the brothers heroic deeds,they are worshiped and remembered as protectors. Memorials called Garadi has been built in the name of Koti and Chennayya all over Tulunadu. Garadis can also be considered as Billava temples.
S.K. Poojary took audience back to the era of Koti Chennaya.
Arun Sanil who spoke few words about “ Brahma Shri Narayana Guru “ in unblemished Tulu was cheered by all. He stated that Nārāyana Guru is revered for his Vedic knowledge, poetic proficiency, openness to the views of others, non-violent philosophy and his unrelenting resolve to set aright social wrongs.
He added that Nārāyana Guru was instrumental in setting the spiritual foundations for social reform for Billawas. He demonstrated a path to social emancipation without invoking the dualism of the oppressed and the oppressor.Guru stressed the need for the spiritual and social upliftment of the downtrodden by their own efforts through the establishment of temples and educational institutions. He said the Guru's contribution as a social reformer had relevance even to this day.
Speech about Billawa History was done by K N Sudhir Kumar, He had the following words - Billava is one of the largest Hindu communities of Tulu, They were previously engaged in Martial Arts (Garadi), Ayurvedic business.
The origin word of Billava is Birwa.The meaning of Birwa is Shanthi. It is believed that billava and ilava are derived from a Proto-Dravidian word. The word Billava is the variation of Villavars or Archers who were a warrior caste among the Dravidians who ruled most of India Billavas are also known as 'Biruva's. This again strengthens the name derivation from Dravidian/Tulu root "bow". Tulu words for bow are 'billu' or 'biru.'
The Objectives & Goals of Oman Billawas was addressed by Dr.Anchan C.K. he said the Motive in bringing the Billawa community together and its success,was to bring all Billawa's under one umbrella to share their common cultural ties; to endorse and contribute to the personal development and self-fulfilment of all members of the community by promoting personal talents.
The philosophy of ‘one caste, one faith and one religion' as propounded by the Guru must be followed in principle. "The differences in caste and religion should not come in the way of progress. There is a need to work towards tackling social and educational backwardness.
He said that its the Youth Billawas who has to be ready to take up the next challenge, and the elder generation should go all the way to support them, he gave them three management Mantra’s to be successful in life, It shall go a long way of a bright Billawa Community that shall surely appreciate the same. He concluded his speech with versus of: Shri Satya Narayana Bhajans.
Ashok Suvarna addressed about The next generation Billawas, he started saying that,
Today most of the people from the Poojary community are well educated due to the modern education and urbanization. Job opportunities in the oil rich gulf countries contributed to the economic growth of Billawas.
Some went into business and some became professionals in the recent years. He added that the community has thrived ahead and have huge professionals in any area be it be Doctors, Engineers, Scientists, Lawyers, IT etc, the current generation have reached through out the globe.
He emphasized the fact the parents should support the children in the area of their keen interest and not to enforce their thoughts, he said that the children are intelligent enough to understand the challenges they face and we need to support them and encourage them to take up profession which they feel they will excel.
Pithamber Alke and Mohini Alke were honoured and were presented a Momento by Sanjeevi Suvarna and Dr.Shodan Kumar,This was given on behalf of all Oman Billawas members for the keen interest the couple have taken and the dedication they have contributed in bringing the community together, they have been the guiding force and have carried relentless service.
Mohan Attavar, President of Dubai Billawas who partook in the inaugural get-together presented a memento to P.B. Alke and all the founding members of Oman Billawas on behalf of Dubai Billawas & NE.
The stage was opened for various entertainment programme, which was performed by children and elders with the best of spirit and up course they kept every one charged till evening.