Media Release
Oman, Dec 14: Mangaluru Balaga Sohar organized its annual event, ‘Food Festival and Musical Night 2017’ recently in the lawns of Crowne Plaza hotel at Sohar.
The event started with an introduction video after which the host for the evening. Manjunath Kaup and Flacid Lobo welcomed the dignatories, guests, president and committee members of Mangaluru Balaga. The event began with the lighting of lamp, which is the traditional ritual that is done before any auspicious occasion. The event was presented by Towell Engineering group and co-sponsors of the event were Bank Muscat, Multitech Contracting Co, C Steinweg Oman LLC, Frank Lobo, Richard D’Souza, Red Rose Furnishing Co, Shamal Plastics, Lulu hypermarket, Muscat Pharmacy & Stores, Udupi Home Hotel and Cochin Gold & Diamonds.
The guest who were invited for lighting of lamp were the Frank Lobo couple, founder and president, Mangaluru Balaga, Narayan Kotian, former president, Mangaluru Balaga, the Richard D’Souza couple, former president, Mangaluru Balaga, the Sudhir Kumar couple, president, Mangaluru Balaga, Shivprakash Rai, general secretary, Mangaluru Balaga, the Shankar Kotian couple, executive chef, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sohar), the Balaji Srinivasan couple, founder, CEO and MD, Towell Engineering Group, Stany Fernandes, former president, Mangalorean Catholic Community of Parish, Laxminarayan Acharya, S K Poojary, president, Oman Billawas, Ashok Suvarna, executive director, NPA Group and the Shashidhar Shetty couple, MD, Abeer Group of Companies.
President of Mangaluru Balaga Sohar, K N Sudhir Kumar delivered the welcome speech. He welcomed Balaji Srinivasan who was the chief guest for the evening. He welcomed the former presidents and committee members of Mangaluru Balaga and also the main guests from Muscat. He praised all the residents of Sohar, specially the Mangalorean community for their valuable support and thanked all the sponsors, supporters, well wishers and committee members of Mangaluru Balaga Sohar for making this event a reality. He also thanked Vijay Prakash and his troupe for coming to Sohar and performing in the event.
Chaitra H G, sang the opening song, she sang one more song after which Vijay Prakash, the famous playback singer from Karnataka was given a grand welcome. He sang number of hit songs in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Tulu and Malayalam. He entertained the audience with his melodious and wonderful voice. Vijay Prakash and his wife were honoured. Vijay was presented with a momento by Balaji Srinivasan. Balaji Srinivasan was honoured and was presented with a momento by Frank Lobo, Narayan Kotian, Richard D’Souza and Sudhir Kumar.
There was a short break in between for all the audience to enjoy the delicious mouth watering dishes from Mangaluru. There was Raggi moode, Gunda, Pathrode, Kesari bath, Kara bath, Charmuri, Buns, Sheera, Goli baje, Masala dosa, Kori roti, Neer dosa, Idli, Chicken sukkha, Pork Bafat, Prawn masala, Fish fry, Chicken biryani, Squid masala, Crab sukka, Boiled egg and Omlete with bread.
Once the event resumed, Chaitra H G sang couple of songs. She sang a famous Konkani song ‘Tu sopanath yetai’. Vijay Prakash came back to sang a few memorable tracks.
Many dignitaries were honoured by Vijay Prakash. They included Frank Lobo Narayan Kotian, Richard D’Souza, Sudhir Kumar, Shivprakash Rai, Shankar Kotian, Stany Fernandes, Laxminarayan Acharya, S K Poojary, Diwakar Shetty, MD, Multitech Contracting Co and Shashidhar Shetty.
Singers like Chaitra H G, Sakshi Bhagwat and Sapna Soundaryarajan were also honored by Vijay Prakash and his wife. The troupe members of Vijay Prakash’s band were also honored by Vijay Prakash. In addition to this, five members of Sohar Women’s cricket team hailing from Mangaluru were honoured. They were Wilma Dsouza, Shanti Andrade,
Sanusha Saju, Saakshi Shetty and Bhavya Shetty.
Other singers like Saakshi Bhagwat and guest singer Sapna Soundharyarajan also sang some wonderful songs. In the end, Vijay sang the famous Oscar winning song ‘Jai Ho’.
The event ended with announcing the winners of the lucky draw contest. Everyone enjoyed and appreciated the way the mega event was organized.