Report: Shodhan Prasad
Photos: Sujay Bendore
Daijiworld Media Network - UAE
  
Dubai, Nov 29: Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates, one of the prestigious and registered Association for Billawas in UAE presented an unpredictable event to be remembered to celebrate their 12th anniversary at the Zabeel Ball Room, Raddisson BLU, Deira Creek yesterday where a record number of more than 1200 invitees gathered to witness the event.
 
The day long event started sharp at 10.30 am with prayer song presented by the members of the community.  Followed was by dance ‘Pushpaanjali’ presented by the artistes who arrived from Mangalore. Theertha Kotian a very young and renowned Classical Dancer alongwith Nrutya Vidhushi Rashmi Saralaya.  They were accompanied by their guru Nrutya Vidhushi Geetha Saralaya who herself is a prominent Classical Dancer very well known in the region.
 
Soon after this was a welcome dance called ‘Natesh Kautuvam’ presented by Divya, Raksha, Arohi, vinitha and poorvi.  Praveen Kumar Attavar, Vice President of BDNE came up on the stage to do the Welcome Speech.  Later we witnessed ‘Diya Jale Jaan Jale’ a dance perfomed by Deepa, Shubha, Jayashri, Pramitha, Shrilatha, Nisha, Sandya, Prabhakar, Sunil, Rajesh Kuttar, Sudheer, Manoj and Rajesh.
 
This proceeded with lighting the lamp by the seven ladies of BDNE committee namely.  Pramila Suvarna, Deena Kumar, Vishalakshi Pravin, Dr. Sachitha Attavar, Prassana Kuckian, Anitha Suresh and Smita Sujay. Continuing with this was a dance called ‘Kande Kande Govindana’ a classical dance enthusiastically performed by Theertha Kotian.  Later we witnessed a filmy dance which was a mixture of Arabic and Hindi, dedicated to the national day of UAE very well performed by two sisters called Shravya and Nindiya Shodhan.
 
Going ahead was ‘Ksheera Kannike Devara Nama’ a  classical dance   performed by Nrutya Vidhushi Geeta Saralaya and Rashmi Saralaya Theertha choreographed by Vidhushi Geeta Saralaya/Vidhushi Rashmi Saralaya.  Followed was kids dance called ‘Bende Kai Tonde Kai’ very well perfomed by Ansul, Dinesh, Rajesh, Vinooth, Sunil, Suvarna Satish and Tanvi.  Then was ‘Chigy Wiggy Dance’ performed by Raksha, Shweta, Vinita, Divya, Purvi, Sanmata and Aarohi choreographed by Arun Lobo.  We then saw ‘Kadala Mage Marriage Dance’ beautifully perfomed and presented by Smitha, Divya, Nisha, Srilatha, Sharvani, Pramitha, Sunil, Sandya, Dinesh, Suvarna, Satish, Anand Bailor and Parija Bailoor well choreographed by Rajesh Kuthar.

Followed by ‘Tulu Folk dance by small kids ‘Mokeda Singar’ presented by  Shravan, Shrajan, Cleon, Purvi, Sanmata and Divya beautifully choreographed by Arun Lobo who also choreographed another Retro Dance by kids Shamit, Bhoomika, Piyush, Gauri, Shashank, Riya, Harshit and Simantini. Continued with ‘Tulu Janapada Nritya’ (Fisherwomen Dance) performed by Theertha, Rashmi, Jayashree, Shubha, Deepa and choreographed by Vidhushi Rashmi Saralaya.  Mohan Attavar conducted thanks giving to the out going BDNE committee members with introduction of the new committee members followed by honouring the community leaders of various associations including Billawa Associations elsewhere. 

Ramesh from Billlawa Balaga Abu Dhabi, called upon and honoured whereas Raj Kumar from Bahrain Billawas and Ashok Suvarna of Muscat Billawas were called upon but were not present.  Also called were Sarvotham Shetty, President Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Noel D Almeida, President Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Bala of Mogaveers UAE, Prakash Rao Payyar of Dwani Prathistana, Executives of Amchigele & Mangalore Konkans,  and Ganesh Rai, ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah.  Also honoured were the media supporters, Sujay Bendore on behalf of Daijiworld, B.G. Mohandas, ex-president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai and Chief of Gulf Kannadiga, Herman Lewis of Radio Spice 105.4 FM and Vinay of Namma TV.
 
The special attraction of the day was a stage play ‘Brahmashree Narayana Guru Charitre’ directed by Shodhan Prasad Attavar, beautifully performed by Ganesh Kotian, Ramanand Belapu, Monappa Suvarna, Yogesh Salian, Yogesh Kumar, Prabhakar Poojary, Deepak, Jayanand Kunder, Nagaraj Poojary and Jagannath Bellare along with other support artistes of BDNE including Anil and Vaman Poojary.  This audio visual experimental drama gave a impressive social message to the mass and was appreciated by one and all present during the event.
 
A documentary on the noble deeds of BDNE to the society was shown soon after the drama and was followed by contemporary semi classical dance by Asta Group, who were the winners of Sansui Boogie Woogie competition of 2009.  The group presented included Kishore, Usha, Vinod, Arun, Dhanisha and Vadhiv beautifully choreographed by Kumar.  This was followed by the Jazz Rockers who really rocked the stage.
 
A sumptuous lunch was served to all invitees and at the same time without wasting time was a remarkable performance by DJ Santosh and his troupe of enthusiastic young and dynamic personalities who rocked the noon with their beautiful numbers and live singing.  Need to mention that this young group of musicians are really dedicated and should be appreciated.
 
Soon after the lunch was Hip Hop Mix Aluchat by Asta Group consisting of dancers Kishore, Usha, Vinod, Arun, Dhanisha and Vadhiv followed by Jazz Rockers.  Going ahead was Shilegalu Sangeethava haadide dance performed by Shruti, Samantha, Theertha and Rashmi.
 
The programme continued with calling up the Chief Guests and other guests on to the stage with formal programme.  Chief Guest Prof. Ganesh Amin Sankamar a lecturer at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore , a writer, poet and one of the excellent orator gave a thundering speech stunning the audience who were even prepared to hear more from this great hero in spite of the shortage of time with many programmes.  He was felicitated by BDNE in their own style.  A well known spiritual guider Guruji Ramanand of Shree Kshetra Adhishakti from Udupi was also called upon who gave a good speech to the audience and was also felicitated.  Along with them were Umesh Kuckian , ex-president of BDNE, Sujay Bendore, founder member & media Coordinator  of BDNE and Vittal Poojary, founder member & Treasurer of BDNE being formally felicitated by the executives of BDNE and the Chief Guests.  Visiting Guest Billawa Star performer Kum. Theertha Kotian, a Classical Dancer was also felicitated and was appreciated for preparing the local talents of Billawas to present themselves on the day’s programme.  The stage formal programme was ably conducted by Deepak and Rajni Kuckian in their unique style.
 
Ashta Laxmi Vibhavam another dance programme presented by Teertha Kotian, Rashmi Saralaya ,GeethaSaralaya, Smitha, Sandya, Nisha, Sapna and Shrilatha was another unique one appreciated by the whole lot of audience with a standing salute.  Navilu Nritya another brilliant dance performance presented by Anil, Ganesh, Monappa, Yogesh, Prabhakar, Mohan, Ajith, Manoj, Neejesh, Deepak, Vaman, Ramanand and Shravya Shodhan was another unique of its kind.
 
 
Then was a Kannada Folk dance called ‘Lele Paduga’ by Deepa, Shubha, Jayashree, Pramitha, Shrilatha, Nisha, Sandya, Sunil, Sudheer and Rajesh ably choreographed by Sandya / Rajesh Kuthar.
 
For a change was a combination dance which was a blend of hip hop, jive and cha cha cha choreographed by Arun Lobo and presented by the enthusiastic youngsters of BDNE Mayur, Suhan, Arun, Shruti, Sneha, Anusha, Samantha and Nindiya Shodhan which was appreciated by the audience.
 
Finally before conclusion was a ‘Yakshagana Skit’ presented by Prabhakar Suvarna, Ganesh Kotian and Sundeep Barke choreographed by Prabhakar Suvarna.  It was really appreciable to see Prabhakar Suvarna a senior member of BDNE taken interest to perform this great art.
 
Jagannath Bellare a dedicated and successful ‘Entertainment Secretary’ of BDNE concluded the vote of thanks along with his wife Deepa Jagannath followed by Raffle draw.
 
The whole show was ably conducted by the Master of Ceremony’s Yogitha Salian, Smita Sujay  and Shodhan Prasad Attavar who took the audience into cheers and laughter with a blend of jokes and ‘wha wha’.  Not to forget the beautiful dancing tunes rendered by DJ Santosh, which tempted the public to dance non-stop to the striking numbers, tireless until 7.30 pm
 
Billawas Dubai & NE, all through these years, have given some of the fantastic programmes with most of the performances which was unique of its kind.  They are one of the few community organizations in UAE carrying on community service with scholarships to students, medical aid to the needy and helping the poorest and the down trodden with timely physical and financial help from time to time. 

Today Billawas Dubai & NE has become a well known name in their society with applications for help pouring in on daily basis.  Billawas Dubai & NE are supported by an able NGO “Guru Charitable Trust” back in home town in identifying the real needy persons from these applications prior to providing help.  In the day’s programme an appeal was raised to support a 35 year young Mangalorean fighting for his life in an Hospital in Dubai for whom the audience generously contributed monetary aid and was handed over to the relative of the patient.
 
On the whole the day long event was an event to be remembered and the audience enjoyed every bit of it until the conclusion till then where they stayed glued to the seat clapping and cheering the performers. Definitely needs to be mentioned, it is the team effort of all the Committee Members of Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates who have put in their heart and soul to make this event such a mega event to be remembered

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