Wilson Saldanha, Shirthady/ Kuwait
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait
Kuwait, Oct 31: Kuwait has witnessed a host of eye-catching entertainment including drama, melody, comedy, traditions, dances, folks, dance skits, Yakshagana and much more under a grandly decorated stage with glittering lights and thunderous sound. Continuing the tradition of the last 15 years, Tulu Koota Kuwait (TKK), led by president Tharendra Shettigar, organized 'Tulu Parba 2015' on Friday October 30 at American International School, Maidan Hawally, Kuwait from 4 pm onwards.
The highlight of the day was superhit Tulu drama 'Network Thikkuji' directed and performed by popular actor/comedian Umesh Mijar alias 'Chotu'. Other scintillating performances included Indian folk arts, Yakshagana Jugalbandi, contemporary dance drama on Jesus, Muslim traditional dance, dance drama 'Maya Vilasa' and many more by visiting artistes Sujayendra Hande (member of 'Karnataka Yakshagana Pattya Pustaka Rachana Samiti' and director of the world famous 'Saligrama Makkala Mela' which has a track record of more than 4 decades) and Natyavidushi Sumangala Rathnakar Rao (founder director of classical dance institute Natyaradhana Kala Kendra) along with local professional artistes and TKK's budding talents.
Khaled Al Saif, chairman of NAPESCO India, Valerine M D’Sa of Khalil Bahman & Partners and Sunil Jain, Indian ambassador to Kuwait were the guests of honour. The programme started with a grand procession consisting of Chande Mela, Knananya Beatz, tiger dance and fancy dress).
The audience were formally welcomed and Tulu Koota Kuwait activities were highlighted by compere of the evening followed by traditional lighting of the lamp by vice-president Harish Bhandary, advisory committee and managing committee members. A souvenir was released to mark the event. Sunil Jain appreciated TKK for their contribution towards, language, culture and charity. He also wished a happy Diwali to all. Khaled Al Saif thanked the Indian community for contributing towards development of Kuwait.
After the presidential speech of vice-president Harish Bhandary, welcome dance (Devi) was presented by Heart Beatz. The audience were entertained with a variety of performances such as Rasa Leela - semi-classical with fusion by Upasana, Indian folk festival by Tulu Siri and Tulu Koota members, Chinnara Yaksha Natya Vaibhava by Tulusiri kids, contemprary with fusion dance drama 'Jesus' by Heart Beatz, Yakshagana 'Abhimanyu' by Sujayendra Hande along with Tulusiri kids, Muslim traditional folk by Upasana, Deepa dance by Heart Beatz and Yakshagana-Jugalbandi by Sujayendra and Sumangala.
All the sponsors were felicitated for their contribution to the event. Valerine M D’Sa along with his wife Luiza, Umesh Mijar, Sujayendra Hande, Sumangala Rathnakar Rao, TKK members Ramesh Kidiyoor, Mohammed Iqbal, Yadunath Alva, Ramesh Bhandari and Swarna Chandrahasa Shetty were felicitated with shawls, fruits and mementoes in the presence of Sunil Jain, Indian ambassador to Kuwait and Dr Gargi Jain. They also expressed their gratitude towards TKK for honoring them. Scholarship and certificates of appreciation for academic excellence were given to meritorious 10th and 12th standard students who are children of TKK members.
Entertainment part continued with south Indian art - Jugalbandi (Bhartnatyam, Kathak, Mohiniyatyam, Kalari, Chandemela by Upasana Dance Studio an Heart Beatz, dance drama 'Maya Vilasa' by Tulusiri kids and Tulu Koota members and patriotic dance by Heart Beatz.
After the interval, curtain was raised for the long-awaited Tulu comedy drama ‘Network Thikkuji’. The drama with story and screenplay by Dinakar Bhandari-Kanajar, directed by Umesh Mijaar succeeded in meeting the audience expectation with its rib-tickling comedy, emotions and melodrama. Comedy artiste Umesh Mijaar is well known and admired for his character in Tulu films and 'Bale Thelipale' competition. The talented visiting and TKK artistes Umesh Mijaar, Laksmeesh Amin, Shreenath Anchan, Ashwini Pinto, Praveen Kotian, Sathish Acharya, Chandrahas Shetty, Manoj bangera, Harish Devadiga, Purandara Manchi, Lional Rayan, Avil Fernandes, Rajesh Fernandes, Prashanth Alva, Sathish Saldanha, Jayashree Sandesh, Suresh Shyam Rao and Rajesh Poojari enacted the drama and entertained the audience with their power-packed performances.
The programme was ably compered by Manoj Shetty Prajwal D'Mello and Preethi Shetty and co-ordinated by Satish Acharya. Sound and lightings were provided by Zain Events Management and makeup by Ajay Gosh. Overall, the annual event Tulu Parba was a feast to the eyes of the audience and a stress buster with healthy comedy and variety entertainment.