UAE Bunts' 36th Anniversary - A Colorful Affair
Report by Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Jovin Dsouza & Ashok Belman (Gulf Kannadiga)
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, May 8: UAE Bunts presented a colourful show at Crowne Plaza, Dubai on May 7, 2010 witnessed by a full packed audience in Ball Room. The programme started at around 10.30 am with the Chief Guests along with Patron and Members walked into the Jumeirah Ball room with drum beats (chende), Kalasha and red umbrella welcome. Chief Guest M.K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE alongwith Guest of Honour Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. B.M. Hegde who arrived all the way from India with Padmashri Dr. B.R. Shetty, Patron of UAE Bunts, Sarvotham Shetty and Sudhir Shetty opened up the programme with lighting the lamp on the stage which was well decorated with traditional coconut tree setting beautifully done by Rajesh Kuthar, Ganesh Rai and their team. The programme continued with prayer song.
Majority of the Bunts arrived in traditional attire with Mundu, Kurta, Shirt and Shawl with the women in colourful zari sarees / salwar.
A welcome song was presented by all the co-ordinators of the show lead by Aparna Alva followed by welcome dance by Aishwarya Gnesh. Rai and Anusha V.K. Shetty which was splendid.
Shashidhar Shetty, the organizer of the days programme welcomed the guests in his short speech and the programme continued. Both side of the stage was computer screen wherein sponsors names kept on rolling in display throughout the day.
Sharina and Jayalaxmi of Dubai presented Zoobie Doobie Dance followed by ‘Kaisi hai yeh rut and Heal the world’ dance by Pawan and Chaitra of Abu Dhabi. ‘Naila Naila a beautiful Tulu folk song was presented by Chetna and Nijesh Kumar of Dubai. A mix masala titled ‘Zoobie Doobie’ by Prathima Shetty of Sharjah was the next item. For a change it was nice to see a Marathi group dance by Jayashree of Dubai well performed. Next was ‘old is gold’ dance item by Laxmi Raviprasad Shetty of Dubai followed by ‘Discowale Khiskho’ by Pawan and Chaitra of Abu Dhabi. Kiran Shetty and group with choreography of Rajesh Gatti presented a folk number which received big round of applause followed by a fusion of classical and western by Gagan and Swarna of Dubai. Pawan and Chaitra presented another dance item called Jiggy Wiggy and World Hold. Aaja Nachle a true number by Natasha and Lata Nagesh Shetty of Fujeirah received a good applause choreographed by Lata Nagesh Shetty.
The cultural show of the morning session continued with Fashion Show by Guru of UAE Exchange Centre with Vande Maataram song on the background and colourful display of costume in a purely traditional way. It was nice to see even the Yakshagana paatradari walk on the ramp. All the participants are staff of UAE Exchange Centre.
Chief Guest M.K. Lokesh, Ambassador of India in UAE was felicitated by Dr. B.R. Shetty with shawl, flower & fruits. Lokesh spoke in English and said he could have spoken in Kannada or Tulu but since all the time he was away from home land he would be comfortable to speak in English. He remembered Shetty community who are known from history and that of the Villain Mudhu Shetty of Bollywood. He made reference to the built of Bunts men and beauty of Bunts women. He said historically Bunts were warriors of the Vijayanagar Empire now they contribute mostly in hospitality field. He remembered some of the famous Bunts.
He praised Dr. B.R. Shetty and said whole Indian community goes to his shelter in one or the other way. He thanked Shetty for his contribution in relation with India and UAE. He congratulated all the Bunt community and wished them to keep the community flag high.
Sarvotham Shetty called all the members of the organizing committee on the stage who were introduced, praised and applauded for presenting such a fine programme. They were Anand and Pushpa Shetty, Jayanand and Jayalakshni Pakkal, Prassanna and Lata Shetty, Alva and Aparna Alva Gunasheel and Sahana Shetty, Shashidhar and Prathima Shetty, Anil and Chaitra Hegde and Suresh and Bharathi Shetty.
Chittranjan Shetty author of many books back in India who came to attend the programme was introduced.
Guest of Honour Padma Bhushan Dr. B.M. Hegde was nicely introduced in English, Kannada and Tulu specially by Sarvotham Shetty and said he is the first Bunt Padma Bhushan awardee. He was felicitated by Indian Ambassador to UAE M.K. Lokesh and Bunts Patron Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty with shawl, fruit basket, flowers bouqet, memento & head gear (Mysore Peta).
Pilot Anoopa Shetty the first Bunt Women Pilot was felicitated with Prathiba Puraskara along with Susiksha Sudhir Shetty, Sushmitha Sudhir Shetty, Monish Ganesh Rai, Varsha Ganesh Shetty, Aishwarya Shetty, Sahanya Shetty, Sidhanth Shetty, Nikita Pravin Hegde, Ria Pravin Hegde by HE Lokesh. They were all felicitated for their excellence in various fields. Samarth Shetty boldly did the introduction in English.
Padma Bhushan Dr. B.M. Hegde spoke nicely mixing English, Kannada and Tulu. He shared some of the sweet moments of his life time and experience. He also gave some good vibrant tips for a better, healthy life explaining the medical terms in simple Kannada.
The morning session concluded with the dance called ‘India a melodious harmony’. This started with mix melody songs Dholna dholna, dhaiyare dhaiyare, bhumroo bhumroo, Nenjinile (diya jale), Ya ya mayaya, Dolare dolare, Thare gin gin, Apdi pode pode (Santosh Rai), Dhol bhaje dhol bhaje, khombdi payali, Dhenana dhenana and finally all the participants walk on the stage for ‘Bharat humko jaan se pyara hai’ holding Indian Flag depicting with costumes of different states of India. Santosh Shetty, Jayashree Shetty and Harish Shetty were the brain behind this.
After the sumptuous lunch the afternoon session started with a comedy skit well presented
A soulful melody music orchestra by Kiran Shetty and Group of Dubai was really sweet to hear. It started with ‘Pehla Nasha’ and continued with ‘Jyothe jyotheali’, ‘Choo kar mere manko’, ‘Aakashadinda dharegilida rambe’, ‘Dhekna sochana’ and ‘Ninnindhale.
Followed by was ‘Kaleidoscope of love’ beautifully presented by choreographer Pawan, Bharathi, Chaitra and Group of Abu Dhabi. It was nice to see Naksha, Nidhi, Samarth Sarvotham, Samarth Gangadhar, Supriya, Deeraj, Nayana, Shiva Prasad, Anisha, Nagesh and Prashanth Hegde did a wonderful job. Prashanth Hegde in ‘Hawa Hawai’ was really amazing with was loudly applauded.
Sponsors and well wishers were called upon on the stage and honoured with shawl. Also the media sponsors were also called and honoured with memento. Sound engineer of the programme Prasad Rai was also called and honoured. The organizers said that the proceedings of the programme will go to the planned marriage fund for the poor and needy girls of the community back home.
Colourful Bunts website www.uaebunts.com was inaugurated by the Guest of Honour along with Dr. B.R. Shetty and Sudhir Kumar Shetty.
It was really amazing to see fully painted ‘Phili Vesha’ (tiger dance) well presented by Vishwanath Shetty and Jyothika Shetty of Dubai. One should appreciate the little children who were also part of this tiger dance including the tiniest one. Goddess Devi appeared at the end to bless them. There was a very good message of ‘save the tiger’. The participants were Usha Vishwanath Shetty, Prarthan and Sannidhi Vishwanath Shetty, Rishabh Raviraj Shetty, Krishanth Premnath Shetty, Rishabh Jayant Shetty, Akshay Prasanna Shetty, Prateek Jayanand Pakkala, Ashish Harsha Shetty, Karthik Harsha Shetty and Aryan Dayanand Shetty. Supported in painting were Mohan, Ganesh Rai, Yogesh and Group.
Soon after there was an old and new remix dance fushion by Aditi Prasanna Shetty, Lata & Group of Dubai. It was hilarious attempt of Tamil number by Pramila, Deeksha, Vivek, Aishwarya, Natasha Settee of Dubai called ‘Naakamakar’.
Sampath Shetty a well known dramatist directed and presented a skit called ‘Muthaidey‘ which was worth watching. This skit has a very much touching inner meaning with a warning to the present generation who are slowly attracted towards western civilization. The social message also says to be cautious of the dying tradition of our community and religion which needs to be protected / saved. The participants were Lata Hegde, Shiva Shetty, Akshata Shiva Shetty, Karunakar Shetty Manjula Ganesh Rai and Ganesh Rai. Followed was a dance item by Dipti Shetty & Team of Dubai for a Hindi number.
Dr. B.R. Shetty Patron of Bunts UAE spoke during the winding session thanking every member gathered on the occasion for their committed support. Dr. B.M. Hegde gave some brief of herbal medicine which was knowledgeable. He also presented a very nice medical presentation on how the human body functions.
A tribute to Aishwarya Rai was presented by Chitra and Shradha of Dubai with beautiful Hindi numbers.
Finally on the entertainment side was a scary ‘Khule Nrutya’ (skeleton dance) presented by Tharanath Rai and Group of Abu Dhabi was a scene stealer.
Prize distribution was done by Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty for all the participants, coordinators, directors of various skits, choreographers and stage supporters.
Raffle draw was conducted and winners got the prizes on the spot which included Air Tickets to Indian destination.
The whole programme was ably conducted by Sarvotham Shetty in his rich voice covering each and every moment of the programme smoothly. He did the vote of thanks at the end.
At around 7 pm the day long programme got concluded.