Bangkok, Sep 1: The Tuluvas in the city on August 30 celebrated Tuluvere Minadana – 2020. The Thai government and people’s concerted efforts in containing the COVID-19 crisis made this gathering possible at The Coco’s, Lotus Hotel, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok.
There were around 70 families from the twin districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, the erstwhile Tulunadu. A few 'kullugana' parties were held before the event.
The event began with a traditional Tulu prayer song and warm greetings to each other. The cocktail samosas and chicken murg kebab breakfast with Indian masala chai were the ice breakers for the gathering.
The emcee for the event, Vinol Joy D’Souza, with Sharik Hussain kept all engaged with fun games for kids and grown-ups alike. This year had a unique ‘punishment’ for ‘cheaters’ in the games – The bitter gourd shots! The bitter gourd shots were well thought out by Tulukoota member, Delora Lorraine Pinto.
Putturda Mastru Praveen Kumar conducted the Tulunadu culture quiz and stirred some back-home memories of the traditions and proverbs. The quiz contest winner, Hari Prasad Rai added valuable insights on Tulunadu culture and traditions explaining the proverbs.
Bhuvi Praveen gave a wonderful dance performance. Akshatha Praveen and Pramitha Anand sang a beautiful Tulu song. The new members Manoj Hegde, Rajath Rao, Nitin Shetty, Anil Shetty gave away the prizes to the winners and kids. Smart engineer, Brison Pinto was the cutest ‘kid’ on the block.
Fun time continued with games like name the person and doughnut dangle. Some of the ‘back-benchers’ came without their better-halves and let loose their back-bench skills cheering the participants. Games conductors and referees were quite amused and gave the back-benchers generous servings of bitter-gourd shots!
A delicious lunch was served by Coco’s. For the afternoon tea, the members were successful in ‘teaching’ Coco’s chefs to make their favourite ‘goli baje’ with ‘taaraai chutney.’
Among the gathering were, Tulukoota committee members vice president Sharik Hussain, treasurer Vinay Shetty, Vinol Joy Dsouza, Praveen Kumar and senior members Habibulla Saheb, Vincy Daniel Pinto, Vinaya K Rai, Satheesh Shetty, Ravindra Amin, Gilbert J Buthello and many others. Photography and videography were done by John Wilson Pinto (Pinto Creations) and Vinay Shetty.
The Minadana event concluded with the vote of thanks by Tulukoota president, Naveen Roshan Pinto and a few beautiful group photographs to remember the happy time they had together.
Any new comers to Thailand from Tulunadu districts are welcome to Tulukoota Bangkok, Thailand! Mokeda Solmelu!
For more details please go through the Tulukoota Bangkok Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tulukootabkk/?epa=SEARCH_BOX