Dubai: Dazzling ‘Billawa Mahotsava – 2010’ – Yakshagana Performance Mesmerizes Audience
Pics byAshok Belman
Gulf Kannaddiga - UAE
Dubai, Nov 27: ‘Billawa Mahotsava – 2010’ organized at the auditorium of Dhow Palace Hotel here on Friday November 26 turned out to be a roaring success. Day-long programmes including captivating Yakshagana episode and a play, received enthusiastic response from the houseful audience. The programme was held under the aegis of Billawa Balaga Dubai and Gulf Billava Sangha. While Bilawa Balaga is celebrating 13 years of its illustrious existence, this was the first programme involving Gulf Billawa Sangha.
Tulunadu culture was visible in abundance at the auditorium, where the people participated, duly wearing their traditional dresses. Those who participated in the event felt as if they were in a festival organized in Karnataka coast.
After the members of the women’s wing of Billawa Balaga Dubai rendered prayers at 9.30 am, the children staged a welcome dance followed by other dances. A dance drama by Sachin Raj gave the message to the people not to neglect elder members of the family during their old age. A Tulu short feature, ‘Undula Onji Baduka’ drove home the message of living together, while ‘Kole Basava’ directed by Amar, attracted the audience because of the folklore content of north Karnataka it projected.
Billawa Balaga president, Chandrashekhar, Gulf Billawa Sangha president, Rajkumar, U Narayan, chairman of Narayanaguru Urban Cooperative Bank Udupi and treasurer of Dakshina Kannada Billava Federation, Billawa Jagruti Balaga Mahila Mandal president, Sharada S Karkera, Billawa Jagruti Balaga Youth Welfare Committee chairman, Dayanand B Amin, Billawa Jagruti Balaga Mahila Mandal managing committee member, Heera D Amin, renowned Yakshagana artiste, Seetaram Kateel, Gulf Billawa Sangha general secretary, Diwakar Poojary, and executive committee members were present at the dais. The event was inaugurated with the lighting of the lamp. Chandrashekhar extended a warm welcome to everyone who had come to take part in the event.
The guests were felicitated on behalf of Billawa Balaga Dubai and Gulf Billawa Sangha by draping shawls, and presenting fruits and flowers, mementos, and citations. Chandrashekhar, Rajkumar, Billawa Balaga women’s wing president, Geeta Suvarna, Gulf Billawa Sangha vice president, Manohar Tonse, immediate past president of Billawa Balaga Dubai, Ashok Anchan, former presidents, Sudhakar Tumbe, and Daya Kirodian felicitated the guests.
The guests, while expressing their gratitude for the honour bestowed on them, appreciated the Billawas for organizing programmes which hold the humanitarian values high, and wished that more such programmes will be organized by these bodies in future.
On behalf of Abu Dhabi Billawa Balaga, Seetaram Kateel was honoured by Dayanand Bangera, along with members of the executive committee. Invitee guests, who had come from Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait etc., were honoured by presenting mementos. B K Ganesh Rai, creative art director, who had conceptualized an attractive banner depicting the culture of Tulunadu and Gulf, which was exhibited prominently at the dais, was honoured by draping a shawl around him, by Chandrashekhar. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha president, Sarvottam Shetty, Moagarveers UAE representative, Balu Salian and Chillivilli Satish, were honoured by presenting bouquets. Several other guests including Yadav Kotian, Denzil Fernandes, Satish Shetty and Jayant Shetty were present.
In recognition of hard work and service rendered towards the general welfare of the Billawas, Bahrain Kannada Sangha president, founder of Sri Narayanaguru Seva Samiti and president of Gulf Billawa Sangha, Rajkumar, was felicitated by conferring the title, ‘Star of Billawa’ on him. In response to this recognition, Rajkumar explained his future plans and pledged to work for the well being of the Billawas in the future. He also sought the support and cooperation of the community members for his future endeavours.
In her valedictory address, Geeta Suvarna exhorted the people in the society to extend a helping hand to those who are suffering, and thereby uphold human values.
After lunch, a Yakshagana performance was presented at the stage that was decorated with green festoons and pillars covered with mango leaves. Invitee to the programme, veteran Yakshagana artiste, Seetaram Kateel, who donned two important roles in the episode, was greeted with resounding applause and cheers of the audience. The performance, ‘Beerdeda Beerer’ got wide appreciation of the people. Sudhakar Tumbe, Harish Shettigar, Raghuram Suvarna, Vasant and others took part in the performance, while background support was extended by Ravindra Uchchil, Harish Achar, Dhananjay Salian, Venkatesh Shastri, Krishnaprasad, Gangadhar Salian, Karunakar Bangera and others. Make up and costumes were managed by Kishore Gatty. Vittal Shetty presented the programme. A team led by Dinesh Bajpe from Yakshamitra team Dubai, was involved with stage designing.
A dance programme presented by the members of the women’s wing and the play, ‘Mani Mayandal’ presented by Ashok Anchan, also got lot of appreciation from the audience. The play was supported by music provided by Carlo and light and sound system provided by Prasad Rai. Attractive spot games, lucky draw, and other programmes kept the people busy and entertained through out the day.
On the occasion, Dayandnd B Amin and Sharada S Karkera wre thanked for contributing Rs 50,000 each to the Sangha. The media was also hailed for its support in covering the event. Ashwin and Suchit, who compered the programme in their inimitable styles, also got a pat on their backs. The event came to an end with the presentation of vote of thanks.