Kuwait: Tulu Parba - Unity in Diversity proved by Tulu Koota

Report and Pics By Wilson & Priya Saldanha, Shirthady/ Kuwait

Kuwait, Sept 8: Tulu Koota Kuwait organized Tulu Parba 2006 on 8th September from 11.00 am to 6.30 pm at the Masrah Hawally auditorium Kuwait.

Tulu Koota Kuwait, which was formed in the year 2000, has been successful in organizing Tulu Parba with a unique savor, right from the year 2002. With this years theme being “Unity in Diversity” Tulu Koota Kuwait was successful in showcasing the folk dances of Karnataka, Janapada Mela marking the 50th Anniversary of Karanataka Rajyostava”Naavu Kannadigaru”.

“Unity through Language” being the main objective of Tulu Koota Kuwait, Festival of Lights “Diwali” Birth of Mother Mary “Monthi Fest” and Muslim Cultural program were the highlights of the day.

Various competitions were held for the members and their family like the Cute Baby Photo contest, Drawing, Dance, Singing, Rangoli & Fancy Dress competitions. Except for the fancy dress competitions the rest were held on September 1st. The first prize winners in each category performed again on September 8th during the celebration of the Tulu Parba.

Program started with a prayer song by Punita and Nagarathna Aithal which was followed by the lighting of the lamp by the President and the Committee members. A warm welcome was given by the Tulu Koota General Secretary Tharendra Shettigar and release of the souvenir was done by K N Das of UAE Exchange.  This was followed by the fancy dress competitions. Good number of members and their families participated in the various competitions held on 1st as well as 8th September. Dance and Song competitions winners in the junior category performed and the morning session came to an end with the skit Kuralda Parba directed by David D`souza and Choreographed by Rakesh Martis that brought fresh memories of the festival celebrated in Mangalorean style. Delicious and mouth watering pure vegetarian festive lunch was served by Oriental restaurant. 

The afternoon sessions commenced with a magic show by Prathima Haldar, a 6th standard student of Indian school in Kuwait mesmerized the audience with her magical powers. A short play on the way why and how Diwali is celebrated in India was directed by Shubha Balthilaya. The various entertainment programs of the afternoon session were the Classical dance directed by Shalini Alva, Muslim “Dappu”, skit on Karnataka Rajyostava- Treasure of Karnataka which consists of 26 districts & Folk dances of Karnataka. The senior category dance and singing competition winners performed in between these programs. The music for the songs was played by the young and budding artist Jason Monterio. 

Chief Guest of the program, Indian Ambassdor to Kuwait M. Ganapathy and Abdul Ghani Behbehani the sponsor for the various Tulu Koota events the guest of the evening were escorted to the stage by the Tulu Koota President Chandrahasa Shetty and Elias Santis and were honored with Bouquets. Helen Pinto and Satish Chandra Shetty the sponsers for the day’s event were escorted to the stage by Sudhakar Shetty and Vivek Rao and were honored by the Chief Guest on behalf of Tulu Koota with momentous. Shashi Prabha Aithal and Monthu D`souza were honored for their outstanding performance to Tulu Koota Kuwait.

Scholarships for 12th standard was bagged by Andrew Newton Fernandes, sponsored by Sudhakar Shetty and Sonal Pinto bagged the scholarship for the 10th standard sponsored by Vivek Rao, while the Scholarship prize for 12th standard was bagged by  Jason D`souza and Sneha Sanjeev Kamath for the 12th standard respectively. Sachidananda Swarna was honored as eh talented member of Tulu Koota with Shawl and monento. The chief guest Ganapaty congragulated Tulu Koota for such a wonderful program and also giving a platform for the young as well as the youth t showcase their talents by encouraging them and also bringing under one umbrella all tulunadu people together despite of various caste and creed. President Chandrahas Shetty thanked all the volunteers and members for their continued support and helping in showcasing a great show.

The hall full of audience enjoyed the well organized program came to an end at 6.30 pm with the signing the National Anthem. The program was Co-ordinated by David D`souza who had also done a fabulous stage setting. Norbert Mendonca and Shalini Vijay ably compered the whole program. The excellent sound and lighting was done by the well-known personality Anand D`souza. The program was captured by the excellent photography and video by Palm Visio Paul Aranha.