Media Release

Dublin, Jul 29: All Ireland Tuluvera Association (AITA) celebrated ‘Tuluvera Sammilana -2024’ recently in Dublin, Ireland.

The deputy head of mission, embassy of India Dublin, Ireland Damodaran Murugaraj IFS and his wife Sripriyadarshini were the guests of honour for the occasion. Addressing the Irish Tuluvas following the formal inauguration by lighting the lamp Murugaraj stressed the importance of keeping a close association with one's roots and celebrating and appreciating the rich culture and traditions one has inherited from their country of origin. He further stated that being born in India or having roots in India one has to be proud of. The unity in diversity one can experience and celebrate is unique. He made the group aware that the Indian Embassy is open 24X7 for any emergencies. He urged the gathering to keep in touch with the Indian embassy for any issues faced by the Indian diaspora. He elaborated on the commitment of the Indian government in enriching the life of the Indian diaspora living in another country.

Before the formal function began, Gunasheela Shetty Shivapura convened a meeting to form the maiden office bearers of AITA. The first-ever office bearers of the AITA were elected unanimously passing a resolution. He unveiled briefly the journey of Irish Tuluvas and the effort taken by a handful of its members to form a Tulukoota/Tulu Nadu Sangha and to bring all Tuluvas together in a get-together in June 2023. Later in the year first ever Tulu movie screening in Dublin also took place. He pointed out that the Tuluva culture amalgamates all religion's contributions in Tulunadu region.

To further expand and reach more people the Tulunadu Sangha decided to include Northern Ireland also under its arms and renamed the Tulunadu Sangha as All Ireland Tuluvera Association, making an acronym of the Tulu word ‘AITA’ which signifies ‘the beautifying of female or decoration of the God’. AITA intends to be a registered body with the CRO in the Irish legal framework to have a strong framework for its functionality.

The following are the founding office bearers of the governing council and executive body of AITA, Ireland.

The executive body comprises president Ilyas Hussain, vice president Sajith Shetty, secretary Chaithra Shetty, treasurer Shree Harsha Seetharama, joint treasurer Dinesh Shetty, joint secretary Sahana Hegde, cultural secretary Arathi Noronha and sports coordinator Gautham Shetty. The executive committee members are Ashok, Sandeep Kumar, Jyothi Bhat and Ashwin Shetty representing different parts of the Island of Ireland. Prathana Rai and Raksha are entrusted with the responsibilities of social media.

The governing council/board of directors of AITA consists of chairperson Gunasheela Shetty Shivapura and members Raghunadh Shetty, Rajendra Prabu, Sajith Shetty, Ilyas Hussain and Kavya Rai.

The founding office bearers pledged their commitment to preserving, restoring and spreading Tuluva culture in Ireland, the home away from home and creating a supportive environment for all Tuluvas in Ireland.

The formal function started with the prayer song from Thananya Prabhu and Thannisk Prabhu and welcome Bharatha Natyam by Ashleen Lobo. The president of AITA Ilyas Hussain and secretary Chaitra Shetty welcomed the guest of honours with a flower bouquet. The Tuluvera Sammilana - 2024 was formally inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by the guest of honour. The guest of honour was felicitated by the AITA. Gunasheela Shetty Shivapura along with other office bearers felicitated Murugaraj with a traditional Indian shawl and sandalwood garland and presented a memento of traditional Yakshagana Kireeta. Sripriyadarshini Murugaraj was facilitated by Shobha Rani, Sahana Hegde and Chaithra Shetty presenting an Udupi saree to represent our culture. The guests of honour were presented with two books ‘Namma Udupi’ authored by Raveendra Shetty and ‘Living Cultures of Tulunadu’ by Praveen Shetty and Nitesh Anchan. These books will be displayed in Embassy of India, Dublin, Ireland.

The Tulvera Sammilana also collaborated to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society to assist cancer survivors in need. Shobha Rani co-ordinated the fundraising event. In her address, she highlighted in her more than two decades of residing in Ireland she has not been aware of any such event organised in the Indian diaspora group celebration. AITA stands out with its commitment to culture, tradition and commitment to the needy.

The highlight of the day was a display of Tuluvera traditional food items like neer dosa, sanna, chicken sukka, buns, giolibaje, kadle bajil, bella tarai da gatti, kadle payasa, kalthappa, chattambade, padengi baje, gujjeda bole were prepared by the members and displayed. The guest of honours tasted and appreciated the Tuluvera food items.

Following the formal function, a variety of cultural programmes and different types of games were organised for the children and adults. The cultural programmes included Tulu folk dances, filmy dances, songs, quiz about Tulunadu region and DJ by Prathana Rai which were enjoyed by all members.

Ilyas Hussain in his presidential address unveiled the plans of AITA and with the suggestion and advice of its members, the future road map will be developed to celebrate Tuluva culture, and tradition and enhance the bond of togetherness. In his vote of thanks, Ilyas expressed his gratitude to all the volunteers and members who helped in making this event a memorable one.

The AITA is indebted to Dr Shiva Sharan Shetty, MD Namma TV and member of the Dental Council of India for his beautiful compilation of a short video with apt explanation about Tulu Nadu and Tuluvera culture which was showcased at the event to the embassy deputy head and all members of AITA.

Arathi Naronha and Rahul Shetty were the master of ceremony for the official function and Vinayaka Mudubelle and Jyothi Bhat were the MCs for the cultural events. Vivek Raj was the man behind the lens to capture the moments.