USA: New England Tulu Koota hosts colourful 'Suggida Koota'


Report by: Kavita Shetty

Boston (USA), Apr 8: On a recent rainy snow-covered evening, New England Tulu Koota (NETK) celebrated 'Suggida Koota' cultural get-together at Arthur J Clark Government Center Waltham, Boston USA. Tulu families got together to talk, laugh and be entertained just as a family gathers during dusk in their very own 'Illadha Chaavadi'.

The evening was a delightful one planned by a creative committee headed by Sudhakara Rao who was ably supported by committee members Puja Shetty, Frederick Fernandes, Prabhakara Bhat, Vivek Hegde, Bhaskar Sherigar, Aneesh Puttur, Raghu Kinnigoly and Suraj Shetty. This was the first indoor celebration of the fledgling association, New England Tulu Koota (NETK), Boston USA.

The event was inaugurated by lighting the 'deepa' (lamp) by Sudhakara Rao, president of New England Tulu Koota and Narayana Rao, retired professor, Stanford University and retired visiting professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Sudhakara Rao addressed the Koota with some thoughts on how the group started and how he hoped the group would gather in future events.

Bhavana Jain was the master of ceremonies for the evening, joined by Frederick Fernandes and Sathish Movvar who kept the audience breaking into guffaws with their wisecracks.

An invocational prayer "Aane Monedha Swamiye" by Shalini Shetty gave an auspicious start to the variety of entertainment items that followed. Her melodious voice reminded us of childhood summer days in Mangalore when we woke up to devotional songs in the morning to start a new day. She was accompanied by Rajesh Pai on the Tabla.

Frederick Fernandes, secretary, NETK welcomed all the guests with his inspiring words "Konkanyere, Brahmanere, Porbhule, Bantere, Maatha Tulu Bhandule, Tulu Bhashene Marepara Balli". This was followed by a series of performances.

Drithi Prasanna sang a beautiful song calling out "Krishna Baro, Ranga Baro". She was very convincing in appeasing Lord Krishna himself with her endearing voice. The next item was a dance to the popular beat "Party Tho Banti Hai" choreographed by Sneha Shetty, presented by Ahaan Shetty, Ayaan Hegde, Rihaan Shetty, Trisha Shetty, Aanya Shetty, Niyati Shetty, Akash Shetty, Arjun Hegde and Sneha Shetty. The song was a fast beat and the children did an awesome job to take the evening to the next level – a well done performance indeed.

Aryan Puttur played "Clocks" by Coldplay on the saxophone and Aadhya Puttur played the Michael Jackson Thriller on the Violin. Sucharitha Hegde, New England's own nightingale, brought in a little romance to the evening with a song from Tulu Naadu, "Mokyedha Singari Unthedhe Vayyari". Aneesh Puttur’s choreography brought out the spunk in another group of boys with a dance by Aryan Puttur, Rithvik Kinnigoly, Rishi Kinnigoly, Abhishek Sherigar and Aniketh Sherigar. The Hindi song, "Prathama Naman" based on Raag Bhupali by Nikita Kuve mesmerized the audience. It was followed by a song by Rishi accompanied by his father Raghu Kinnigoly on the tabla.

Raghavendra Kudrethaya gave a talk on "Tulu Swarasya". His talk highlighted events that took place in Dakshina Kannada during the good old days. The unique discourse in pure Tulu enlightened the audience.

Ritu Somayaji delighted the audience with her Bharatnatyam performance - a very graceful portrayal of "Shankara Shiva Gangadhara, Gowri Vadhana, Haasya Vadhana Madhana".

Vivek Hegde and Sudhir Prabhu hypnotized the audience by singing "Banigondhu elle ellidhe" the very lilting song of the movie "Premadha Kaanike", a happy tune that graced the radios at home in yesteryears.

Teenagers presented a beautiful dance medley "Dhol Masti". The Bollywood dance sequence was choreographed and performed by Esha Shetty, Neha Chandra and Sneha Shetty. Thr girls were amazing and exhibited pure perfection, so much so that their performance went encore.

Last but not the least was a beautiful folklore – celebrating Suggida Parba. The dance to a popular Tulu song "Denana Dennana" was performed by Kalpana Shetty, Sapna Shetty, Puja Shetty, Sowmya Aneesh, Shalini Shetty, Rashmi Kinnigoly, Ranjita Hegde and Shailashree Sherigar.

Master of ceremonies Bhavana Jain did a great job throughout the evening, putting quite a few anecdotes in Tulu and Kannada connecting the events and piecing them together and kept the audience glued to the seats.

One of the very entertaining parts of the event was introductions of families, some who were ready to be the next Toast Masters and some who were just up on the stage having a good laugh themselves. Suraj’s impromptu Tulu introduction was comical enough to be chosen as the best one among the funnies.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Bhaskar Sherigar who thanked one and all for the efforts put together by the team, participants and the audience, to make the evening a great success.

Another highlight of the evening was food - a culmination of several Mangalurean delicacies. The evening had begun with an array of snacks prepared by some enthusiastic volunteers. There were several snack contributions; Mangaluru buns by Sudhakara and Usha Rao, "Sajjige Bajil" by Vivek and Ranjita Hegde, sweet potato "Podi" by Prabhakara and Vijaya Bhat.

The evening concluded with a tasty dinner with contributions from families including catered food. The main course contributions were mutton curry and "Manoli Batani" by Ashwin and Puja Shetty, "Chicken Sukka" by Krishna Prasad and Shalini Shetty. "Idli-Sambar and Chutney" was provided by Raghavendra Kudrethaya and Amrita. "Sambar" by Narayana and Shyamala Rao, "Pundi Chutney" and "Majjige" by Sudhakara and Usha Rao. The desserts included "Nendrabale Halwa" by Sudhakara and Usha Rao, "Pineapple Sheera" by Ramesh and Sucharitha Hegde and "Cracked Wheat Halwa" was provided by Suraj and Kavitha Shetty.

The evening was indeed a well-planned event by a very motivated group of committee members who each had a role in coordinating the events. The entertainment activities were very well planned by Puja Shetty who took special efforts in bringing out the best in every family. Aneesh Puttur handled the photography and video coverage was by Ashwin Shetty. Bhaskar Sherigar was very meticulous in paying attention to every detail of the event.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rajesh Pai Kalsanka, Udupi/Boston

    Thu, Apr 09 2015

    Boston also has a very active Konkani community (KONE - Konkanis of New England) and a large Kannada Koota (Mandara) as well. There is also a Bunt association. Along with MCA and NETK, Boston perfectly represents Tulunadu in the USA.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Priya, Bantwal/California

    Thu, Apr 09 2015

    Very happy to see Tulu Koota events in US.I wish there was a tulu association here in Bay area

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry Lewis, Sastan/Kuwait

    Thu, Apr 09 2015

    Happy Suggida Koota best wishes

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Puja Shetty, Kodialbail,Mangalore,Vittla/Boston.USA

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Sorry to forgot to mention my native place.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Puja Shetty, Massachesettes

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    NETK is glad to know about MCA and so many Tuluvas residing in our backyard.Suggida koota is our first big event and another reason behind this article is to get to know other Tuluvas in New England area whom we were not able to reach.Thanks Derek for letting us know about MCAs.We warmly welcome all the Tulu speaking MCA members to our Tulu Koota.Dont miss our picnic in summer.Looking forward to meeting you all. Thanks everyone for your best wishes and great comments for NETK which is still at infancy stage. Regards,Puja Shetty

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sharat Amin, Mangalore/Worcester

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    I also came to know about NETK recently.I have been in Worc for the past 15 yrs. We should publish more about out community, Now about Dereck article, I fully agree with him, we should associate MCA. I know lots of Catholic's from mangalore, they participate in all our function's and they all speak Tulu too.So I think we should also encourage MCA.By the way I am a manglorian but born and brought in Bombay.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fredrick Fernandes, Moodubelle / Boston

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Derek.. we will include you in our tulu koota mailing list and keep you informed about our future events.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alok Rai, Kudla, New Delhi

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    It is nice to see active participation of Tuluva's residing in Boston and celebrating. I wish many more such events in future.
    Mr. Derek, I agree with you, I hope you will actively participate in all future activites of New England Tulu Koota.

    Regards,

    Alok Rai
    General Secretary
    Delhi Tulu Siri

    DisAgree [4] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Daijiworld Admirer, Mangalore / Doha

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    New England is a region of the Northeastern United States consisting of the six states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

    Boston is the largest city in New England region. It is also the capital of Massachusetts state.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash Chandra Ajila, Mulki/Doha,Qatar

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Congratulations to New England Tulukoota for organizing Suggida Koota.It Is Really nice to see the performance of members.All the best and keep it up.
    Prakash Chandra Ajila.
    Ex.president.Tulukoota Qatar.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Fayaz, DXB

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Super Maarre....

    Tulu Naadu Best....

    DisAgree [7] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valson Mendonsa, Mangalore/USA

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    I am really delighted & nice to hear about Tulu Koota news here is US,this is the first time almost in 2 decades I come across Tulu gathering news here in US,from so long time I met only one person from Mangalore Tuluva community here is US.
    Keep up home culture from mother land Mangalore and all the best to New England Tulu Koota (NETK).

    DisAgree [7] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Derek, Burlington, MA

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    It was nice to have read an article on our community in my own backyard with out even knowing it ...

    I wish the NETK committee had googled "MANGALORE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION, BOSTON, MA". We are over 100 people in this association with roots from (proper)Mangalore and nearby who grew up in Mangalore and meet two to three times a year during Monti fest, Christmas & New year.

    We also speak Tulu and would have been glad to have participated.
    I wish the writer Kavita, or committee member reads this message, "googles" the information and get in touch with MCA, Boston!!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Bhaskar Sherigar, Mala Karkala / Boston

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    Darek,
    This is is an useful info! We did not know about many people in our backyard. Sure we will contact you from NETK. I guess there are many more tulu people/families in new england area and I hope thsi article will help us to unite more people.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • santhosh, mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    please let me know any one, why its called new England tulu koota in u.s.a?.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • godwin, Mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    New England is the name of the place in USA.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • santhosh, mangalore

    Wed, Apr 08 2015

    thanks godwin.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishaal, Udupi

    Thu, Apr 09 2015

    New England is the region formed by surrounding six states. Pilgrims came from England during yr 1600 and settled in that NE region of USA, they called this region as New England.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: USA: New England Tulu Koota hosts colourful 'Suggida Koota'



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