Abu Dhabi: Grand Rajyotsava Celebrations by Karnataka Sangha
Report: Shodhan Prasad
Photos: Sujay Bendore
Abu Dhabi, Nov 15: Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha had geared up with grand vibrant celebration at the Abu Dhabi Indian School Auditorium on 14th November, 2008. The programme sarted sharp at 11 am with lighting of lamp by the grand partron Dr. B.R. Shetty and Dr. Chandrakumari B.R. Shetty alongwith the Committee Members of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha. Soon after the lighting the lamp was devotional song rendered by Namitha Ananth & her ladies team. Sarvotham Shetty, President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and Ananth opened up the programme welcoming all Kannadigas to the days event, 'Rajyotsava Day Celebration 2008'
The invitees include Dr. K.P. Puthuraya being the chief guest for the programme and another invitee a well known film actress of the famous award winning film Daatu, Roopa Iyer alongwith the film producer Dhanraj of the famous 'Koti-Chennayya' who flew all the way from Karnataka to attend the function. Other guests include Rajyotsava Award Winner Shekar Shetty of Arab Udupi Restaurant, Richard Lobo of Finance Department Abu Dhabi government,
The programme started with a cute dance item nicely presented by little children called "Suwi Suvvalali" choreographed by Namitha Ananth followed by "Nagara Holeyo Ammale" dance item by little children choreographed by Vidya Kini & Shuba Kamath. Another dance received good applause was "Jinke Marina" choreographed by Dheeraj Acharya and performed by talented kannada children.
The programme continued with Vachanamratha by Namitha Ananth and then a beautiful song by Donald Pinto and his team called "Sirigannadam Ghelge" which received a big round of applause. Followed by this was a classical dance item called "Shiva Nruthya" performed by talented girls choreographed by Namitha Ananth. "Akkaiyya Nodubarey" was another colourful group folk dance performed by telented youths and choreographed by Pawan Kumar Shetty.
Then with a good introduction welcomed on the stage was Dr. Puthuraya a pure hasyagaara who tickled the rib bones of the audience with his humourous talk again in kannada. He started with his talk on kannada and Karnataka saying we need to talk in pure and clear kannada language which is one of our rich language and with what we can communicate our feelings. He in between seasoned his talks with flavours of english and the children enjoyed every bit of it. He thanked the organisers for the good work they are doing and praised their deeds towards Kannada and Karnataka. His humour talks on kannada was really in a form of flowing river continuously for half an hour in the first half.
Followed by this was felicitation to the children who have excelled not only in studies but in various fields. Before that B.K. Mathur, Principal of Abu Dhabi Indian School and Richard D'Souza, Treasurer of Abu Dhabi Indian School were honoured with shawls by Dr. B.R. Shetty for the good cause they are doing for the Indians in this School. Manohar Tonse carried out this 'Prathiba Puraskara' event in a smooth way calling upon all the students identified for excellence in various fields by the Sangha with their parents on to the stage. They were all honoured by B.R. Shetty and his wife Chandrakumari Shetty. The students skills and achievements were all read out clearly by Manohar Tonse.
All the sponsors of the event were called upon on the stage and felicitated with shawls by Patron B.R. Shetty. Also felicitated were the womens throw ball team of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha by Chandrakumari Shetty alongwith Film Actress Roopa Iyer.
Roopa spoke fluently in Kannada wishing all the children on the event of Children's Day and the organisation for inviting her on the occassion of Rajyostava Day Celebration. She also disclosed her new venture, a film on HIV affected children which will be released world wide in many languages and sub titles. She also pointed out that she could speak very fluently in Kannada, humoursly retaliating Puthuraya's commentthat Bangaloreans nowadays do not speak in kannada.
Then was felicitation to Shekar B Shetty, a recent Rajyotsava Award Winner who owns Arab Udupi Chain of Restaurants in U.A.E. and the only one to introduce not only Udupi into U.A.E. but also intoduced Dosa-Idli snacks to the people of U.A.E. B.R. Shetty felicitated him in the presence of all the Committee Members of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha. Shekar Shetty's achievement was read out in the presence of his wife Usha Shetty and children Chandini & Roshini. In response to the felicitation, Shekar Shetty spoke few words and praised B.R. Shetty on his role in the development of the Abu Dhabi Indian School. He thanked the organisation for the felicitation and honour given.
Dr. K.P. Puthuraya was also felicitated and honoured in the presence of the Committee Members of the Sangha again by B. R. Shetty. Puthuraya has achieved many awards not only in Karnataka but even other places in India and abroad. He is not only a humourist but also Author of many books, Reader in Radio and many more multi role functions. He even was invited and honoured in America during Kannada Sammelanas and many gulf states.
Followed by was a felicitation to R. Dhanraj, Film Producer of 'Koti Chennaya' which received an award from the Government of India. He was honoured by B.R. Shetty in the presence of the Commiittee Members of the Sangha. His achievements were read out and appreciated. In return Dhanraj thanked the Sangha and the Children on occasion of Children's Day. He also said he will be producing some more films in the regional language soon. Manohar Tonse concluded the felicitation programme alongwith Ravi Rai and Mangala
Rons Bantwal, Vishwanath Mada, Balakrishna Bhandary & Dharmapal Devadiga the special guests from India were called upon on the stage by Sarvotham Shetty and honoured by B.R. Shetty.
Media representatives were appreciated and honoured on the stage. Also honoured was Prabhakar Ambalthere President of Sharjah Kannada Sangha.
A very famous colourful "Dharma Sankranti" Yakshagana-classical-folk mix group dance was well presented by various talented artists of Billawas Dubai which was one of the unique one and appreciated by whole lot of audiance with good response.
Sumptous lunch was served and after the break was Mrudunga Vadana performed well by N.N. Kudwa. Soon after that was humourous 'Hanigavana' and 'Shayari Vachana' programme conducted by Manohar Tonse. Various speakers like Arun, Mangala, Ganesh Rai, Prakash Payyar, Shashidhar, Avaneesh Bhat, Venkatakrishna & Sarvotham Shetty rendered applaudable verses and humours speeches on various subjects like social, political and humanity.
Later a good kannada skit was presented by talented group from Dubai "Swatantra Alla Swachantra" directed by Thokurguthu Sampath Shetty. Artists performed were Santosh Poojary, Donald Pinto, on various issues hindering our development in this society was really a important message. Another kannada skit was presented by Billawa Balaga Abu Dhabi directed by Pradeep Kirodian called 'Appanige Jwara' and participated by members of Billawa Balaga.
Puthuraya was welcomed a second time by the audiance when he continued his humourous jokes in an immitable style this time with a little flavour of Hindi too. He made the audiance jump on thier seats holding their stomach.
Finally the programme concluded with vote of thanks, prize distribution and raffle draw wherein prizes included air ticket to home town and return.
The programme was witnessed by full house kannadiga audiance from all over U.A.E. and who were entertained throughout the day with variety of programme perfectly blended with pure and perfect kannada ingredient by the one and only Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha who all through these years have maintained and developed kannada language in this part of the world.