Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai (MS)
Dubai, Mar 11: The 11th anniversary celebration of ‘Gauji Gammath - Tulnada Gobbuleda Lesa’ programme by Tulu Patherga Tulu Oripaaga, took place on March 3 at Zabeel Park.
Following the tradition of Tulunadu, all attendees of the program were warmly welcomed with jaggery, water, and Tambula.
The program commenced with a prayer song performed by Prisha, Sharvi, and Suhan. Sarvotham Shetty, a senior and esteemed member of Dubai Tulu Kannada organization, along with Ajmal Dubai, another senior member of the organization, and Novel Almeida, paid floral tributes to the portrait of the ‘Tulu Appe’.
Later in the event, a Tulunada song was presented. The traditional games of Tulunadu were officially inaugurated by elderly individuals who traveled from India, Susheela Sanjeeva Poojary and Sulochana Jaya Amin, who planted coconut saplings.
During the stage program held in the afternoon, chief guests Harish Bangera, Donny Correa, Jayanth Shetty, Manohar Hegde, Shodhan Prasad, Sudarshan Hegde, Satish Poojary, Joseph Mathias, as well as senior members of the organization Satish Ullal, Sandeep Kotian, and president Premjit, were all in attendance.
Madhava Hejamady Kodi, an elderly person and dedicated social worker, was honored with the title 'Appe Bhashe Tuluva Tudar’. Additionally, Shameer Bolara, who has made significant contributions to Tulu and Kannada organizations in Dubai, Sunita Sandeep Devadiga, known for promoting Tulunadu culture through her YouTube channel, Sachin Poojary, a boxer, and Madhava Poojary, a committed social worker, were felicitated with shawls and mementos. Furthermore, financial assistance was provided for the medical treatment of a differently-abled child in India.
Dubai Tuluvas were divided into four teams named Bedra, Karla, Kasrodu, and Barakoor, and engaged in various games such as Kabaddi, Lagori, tug of war, paper games, cycling with a tire, Rasa Prashne focusing on Tulu culture, pulling of sheets of arecanut tree, and weaving coconut branches (Madal Modipini). Special games were also organized for women and children.
For lunch, a delicious spread of boiled rice, horsegram chutney, Kadale Balyar, dry nang fry, Talli of raw mango, and kadale bele payasa was served. The meal was presented on special arecanut tree sheets sourced from Tulunadu.
Teams that emerged victorious in the sports events were honored with prizes. Additionally, individuals who contributed to the success of the program were recognized and presented with souvenirs. The coordination of the games was overseen by Novel Almeida, Amar Nanthoor, Shobita Premjit, Jayashree Premanand, Laxmi Poojary, Ashwini Satish, Likita Deepak, and Shweta Sandeep.
More than 500 Tulunada Bandavas of Dubai thoroughly enjoyed the program. Secretary Reetu Anchan extended a warm welcome and provided details of the organization's achievements. Additionally, Reetu actively participated in the event. The President and all members of Tulu Patherga Tulu Oripaaga were also in attendance, contributing to the success of the program with their cooperation. The event concluded in a grand manner, thanks to their collective efforts.