Benpinori Tinpinori - Sangama Kalavidaru Rock with Splendid Performance
Report by Dinesh Correa
Pics by Jovin Dsouza - Pangla
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, October 30: 'Sangama Kalavidaru', an organisation founded by the late Umesh Nanthoor uniting amateur artistes from the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, organized a Tulu play called 'Benpinori Thinpinori' at the Emirates Auditorium Dubai.
The event was held on Friday October 29. A professional display of talents by Tulu artistes, qualitative comedy, emotions, drama and moral made it a well organized stage event. Due respect to young and old stage activists and most notably, traditional fervour and gusto marked the entire occasion. The event was witnessed and cherished by a jam-packed crowd.
Karnataka Rajyostava Award winner , Sarvottam Shetty, a senior Tulu-Kannada activist and community leader began the proceedings with 'Nalipu Koraga Nalipu-ga', a Tulu folk song. In his unique style of compering, his beautiful words of veneration, drew a beautiful painting of ‘Tulu Appe’, the mother tongue of Tuluvas, who is being served by people of various religions, places and mother tongues. He also called upon all Tuluvas to speak Tulu with their children so that they too savour the great taste of the language.
The chief guest was India’s senior businessman in the UAE, Padma Shree Dr B R Shetty who inaugurated the event with beating of ‘Chende Mela’, to the electrifying sounds of the traditional bronze ‘Kombu’, all of which mesmerized the spectators. Dr B R Shetty also received Praveen Shetty of Fortune Hotels, Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight Systems LLC, Walter Nandalike of Daijiworld Media and Shekhar Shetty of Arab Udupi with traditional honour of ‘Muttale’ or ‘Paale’, a traditional head gear used by field workers in Tulunadu.
In his address, Dr B R Shetty praised the entire Tulu speaking community for being united in the entire Middle East irrespective of caste and creed and establishing themselves at various socio-economic levels. He also hailed the efforts of various orgnanizations for hosting such events to keep the native languages, culture and tradition alive.
Alwyn Pinto, a senior Tulu - Konkani - Kannada actor, activist and leader, founder member of Mangalore Konkans and present main co-ordinator of Daiji Rang Mandir was honoured along with his wife by ‘Sangama Kalavidaru’ with trophy, citation, shawl and fruits.
‘Benpinori Tinpinori’ a comedy drama penned by Naveen Shetty Alake (Lakumi Troupe, Mangalore, with a strong message of national integration and patriotism was presented by amateur artistes of ‘Sangama Kalavidaru’. The story revolves around a close-knit family of two nearby houses who are all set to enter into a marital alliance. The groom who is a military soldier at the Kashmir border chooses his commitment to the country over family life and happiness. The fantastic story, fine acting by all artistes, quality music and able direction by well known director Vishwanath Shetty made the drama a memorable one and received high praises.
Shantharam Achar took charge of proceedings of honouring the Sangama team to the applauds of a houseful crowd.
Harish Sherigar of ACME entertained the audience with two Kannada old numbers and received thunderous applause.
‘Sangama Kalvidaru’, an amateur drama troupe once again proved that local talents, if trained and committed themselves to a quality task, can deliver the same results as professional troupes or better. Indeed, Tulu language is bestowed with a boon called ‘Sangama Kalavidaru’ and needs support and appreciation of all Tuluvas to continue doing commendable contribution towards the language and drama art.